Image that illustrates Sweeper operator

Sweeper operator

35 600 kr

Construction machine operators etc.

33 100 - 37 400 kr / month

Women earn 99% of what men do.

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What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Sweeper operator

Average salary 35 600 kr
Males 35 600 kr
Females 35 200 kr

What does a Sweeper Machine Operator do? – Tasks and Work Environment

Sweeper machine operators are responsible for keeping streets, squares, industrial areas, and other public spaces clean by operating sweeper machines. The work involves daily maneuvering of specialized vehicles equipped to collect trash, gravel, and leaves. In addition to driving, it often includes basic maintenance of the machine, refilling consumables, and reporting obstacles or deviations in the work environment. The work environment can vary from quiet residential areas to busy city centers, and work is often performed outdoors year-round, requiring good preparedness for weather changes.

Salary Development Over Time

The salary for sweeper machine operators has shown a steady but moderate increase over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 34,700 SEK per month, rising in 2023 to 34 900 SEK. The latest data for 2024 indicates a continued increase to 35 600 SEK, representing a total rise of approximately 2.6% over the period. Factors driving this development include increased demand for experienced operators, a growing focus on urban sanitation, and some shortage of trained personnel. The trend indicates stable salary growth rather than rapid changes, and the profession's pay level is comparable to other construction machinery operators.

Sweeper Machine Operator Salary – Complete Overview

  • Average salary: 35 600 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 33,100 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 37,400 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage (average): 214 SEK
  • Gender pay gap: Women earn 99% of what men do (35 200 SEK vs 35 600 SEK)
  • Regional differences: Highest wages are found in the regional sector, lowest in the private sector

Education and Qualifications

To work as a sweeper machine operator, a high school diploma is usually required, preferably with a focus on transport, vehicles, or construction machinery. Additionally, a heavy vehicle driving license (often C license) and sometimes specific training for machine operator certification are needed. Practical experience in operating machinery is highly meritorious and often a requirement by employers.

  • High school education: Vehicle and transport program, 3 years
  • Driving license: C license (heavy vehicles)
  • Machine operator training: Short courses/certificates (1–6 weeks)
  • Practical training: Internships or trainee programs are common
  • Prerequisites: Good knowledge of Swedish and traffic safety

Many sweeper machine operators work early mornings or late evenings to minimize traffic disruptions and increase efficiency. This requires good planning skills and flexibility, but often also offers a more independent work style.

– statsskuld.se

Common Benefits and Compensation

Sweeper machine operators are often covered by collective agreements and can thus access benefits such as occupational pensions, wellness contributions, overtime pay, and night shift allowances. Some employers also provide work clothing, training, and opportunities for further development within the profession. It is common to have security insurances and sometimes access to employee support or health checks.

Challenges and Competition

Despite the large national employment opportunities for sweeper machine operators, there is a paradoxical recruitment situation: many leave the profession while demand remains stable. Challenges include the work environment, which can be physically demanding and exposed to weather and traffic. Additionally, accuracy and responsibility are required, especially when driving in urban areas and under time pressure. Automation and technological development may influence the profession in the future, but the need for skilled drivers remains.

Tips for Aspiring Sweeper Machine Operators

To succeed as a sweeper machine operator, it is good to combine technical interest with a high sense of responsibility. Precision is crucial, as both maintenance and driving require accuracy and safety awareness. Flexibility helps when working hours vary and unexpected challenges arise, especially with weather changes or traffic disruptions. Good teamwork skills are important, as collaboration with colleagues and management is common. Being self-reliant and able to make independent decisions facilitates daily work and helps keep operations efficient. Punctuality and reliability are highly valued, as work often follows a fixed schedule and impacts many other societal functions.

Key Facts about Sweeper Machine Operators

  • Salary range: 33,100–37,400 SEK/month
  • Education level: High school with C driving license
  • Work environment: Outdoors, varying weather and traffic conditions
  • Demand: Large national job opportunities
  • Hourly wage: 214 SEK/hour (average for hourly workers)

Career Paths and Future Outlook

After a few years of experience, sweeper machine operators can advance to supervisory roles such as team leader, instructor, or machine manager. There are also opportunities to broaden skills to other construction machinery or specialized vehicles. Forecasts from the Swedish Public Employment Service indicate that the job market for construction machinery operators, including sweeper machine operators, will be stable with ample opportunities over the next five years. However, the recruitment situation is characterized by a shortage of qualified drivers, especially as many leave the profession, which bodes well for those with the right education and experience. In total, 379 job openings were available in the profession during spring 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions about Sweeper Machine Operators

  • What does a Sweeper Machine Operator earn?
    - The average salary is 35 600 SEK per month, with a range between 33,100 and 37,400 SEK.
  • What education is required to become a Sweeper Machine Operator?
    - High school education with a focus on transport or vehicles and a C driving license are most common.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn 99% of what men do in the profession.
  • What is the work environment like for Sweeper Machine Operators?
    - Work is mostly outdoors, often in varying weather and traffic environments.
  • What career opportunities are available within the profession?
    - Opportunities exist to advance to supervisory roles or specialize in additional machine types.
  • What are the future prospects?
    - The job market is stable with large nationwide job opportunities over the next five years.
  • What benefits are common?
    - Collective agreements, occupational pensions, wellness contributions, and overtime pay are typical benefits.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Sweeper operator is 37400 kr. This salary belongs to a woman working in the Regional sector with a upper secondary education, maximum 2 years. The highest salary for a man in this profession is 37000 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Sweeper operator is 33100 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed officials. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 34700 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 103% 31100 kr 31900 kr
25-34 98% 34000 kr 35300 kr
35-44 99% 35600 kr 36700 kr
45-54 36400 kr 37800 kr
55-64 33900 kr 35300 kr
65-68 33400 kr 34700 kr
Snitt 99% 34400 kr 35600 kr
Salary per sector
Salary based on education
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About the data

All information displayed on this page is based on data from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics (SCB), the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish employment agency. Learn more about our data and data sources here.

All figures are gross salaries, meaning salaries before tax. The average salary, or mean salary, is calculated by adding up the total salary for all individuals within the profession and dividing it by the number of individuals. For specific job categories, we have also considered various criteria such as experience and education.

Profession Sweeper operator has the SSYK code 8342, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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