Image that illustrates Sorters, wood fiber industry

Sorters, wood fiber industry

36 800 kr

Operators in sawmills, planing mills and plywood etc.

35 400 - 37 400 kr / month

Women earn 96% of what men do.

Industriell tillverkning

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Sorters, wood fiber industry

Average salary 36 800 kr
Males 37 000 kr
Females 35 400 kr

What does a sorter in the wood fiber industry do? – Tasks and work environment

A sorter in the wood fiber industry primarily works with inspecting, sorting, and quality assessing wood fiber products before they proceed in production or are delivered to customers. The tasks often involve both manual and machine work where precision and speed are essential qualities. The work is typically carried out in production facilities, where the environment can be noisy and sometimes dusty, but it is also structured and follows clear safety routines. Collaboration with other operators and production staff is crucial to maintaining a steady workflow and high quality of the final product.

Salary development over time

The salary for a sorter in the wood fiber industry has shown a steady upward trend over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 33,600 SEK per month, increasing to 35 000 SEK in 2023 and reaching 36 800 SEK in 2024. This represents a total salary increase of approximately 9.5% during this period, somewhat higher than the average salary growth for similar professions in the industry. This positive trend can partly be explained by increased demand for wood fiber products, a greater focus on sustainable production, and a certain shortage of qualified labor in the field. Gender pay gaps have persisted, although the gap is smaller than in many other industrial sectors.

Sorter, wood fiber industry salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 36 800 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 35,400 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 37,400 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage (average): 221 SEK
  • Women: 35,400 SEK/month (96% of men's salary)
  • Men: 37 000 SEK/month
  • Regional differences: Highest salary within regional sector, variations may occur locally

Education and qualifications

To work as a sorter in the wood fiber industry, a typical requirement is upper secondary education, often with a focus on industry, wood technology, or production. Practical experience from similar industrial jobs is highly valued, and some employers offer internal training or introductory programs for new employees. Formal certifications are rarely required, but basic safety training and forklift licenses can be advantageous.

  • Upper secondary education: Industry or wood technology program (2–3 years)
  • Internship or traineeship: Often part of education or employment
  • Basic safety training: Common employer requirement
  • Meritorious: Forklift license, experience from industrial work
  • Prerequisites: Good physical condition, precision, teamwork skills

Working as a sorter in the wood fiber industry often provides a very good insight into the entire production chain – from raw material to finished product. Those interested in technology and production flows can quickly develop a broad understanding of industry processes and find new career paths within, for example, production management or quality control.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Sorters in the wood fiber industry are often covered by collective agreements, which entitle them to occupational pensions, overtime pay, and insurance. Other common benefits include wellness allowances, subsidized lunches, and opportunities for skills development through the workplace. Some companies also offer bonus schemes linked to production results.

Competition and challenges

The job market for sorters in the wood fiber industry is relatively stable, but competition for positions can vary depending on region and economic conditions. A shortage of qualified workers exists, which can favor those with relevant experience or education. The profession also demands flexibility and adaptability, as production volumes and working hours can change rapidly. Digitalization and automation are impacting the role, making technical understanding increasingly important. Physical tasks and repetitive movements can be challenging, so good physical fitness and endurance are essential.

Tips for those aspiring to become a sorter in the wood fiber industry

To succeed as a sorter in the wood fiber industry, attention to detail and accuracy are important, as quality control is central to the work. Good cooperation with colleagues facilitates the workday and contributes to efficient production, so communication skills and team spirit are valuable. Being flexible and able to handle varying tasks allows quick adaptation to production changes. Good physical condition and endurance are necessary to cope with the work environment, which can sometimes be physically demanding. An interest in technology and machinery is also advantageous, as machine handling is often part of the role. Being solution-oriented and able to identify deviations in materials helps maintain high quality. Finally, taking advantage of internal training opportunities and showing curiosity for development within the company is recommended.

Key facts about Sorter, wood fiber industry

  • Salary range: 35,400–37,400 SEK/month
  • Average salary: 36 800 SEK/month
  • Education level: Upper secondary education, industry/technology
  • Work environment: Production, noise and dust, safety routines
  • Number of job openings (occupation group): 1,437 positions (May 2024)

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, a sorter in the wood fiber industry can develop into more specialized roles, such as supervisor, quality manager, or machine operator within production. Further education in industrial production can also open doors to planning or production management roles. The employment agency's forecasts for this occupational group are cautious due to limited statistical data, but there is generally good demand for labor within the wood industry and related fields. The number of available jobs is high, indicating continued stable future prospects.

Frequently asked questions about Sorter, wood fiber industry

  • What is the average salary of a sorter in the wood fiber industry?
    - A sorter in the wood fiber industry has an average salary of 36 800 SEK per month.
  • What are the salary differences between men and women?
    - Men earn an average of 37 000 SEK, while women have an average salary of 35,400 SEK, which corresponds to 96% of men's salary.
  • What are the highest and lowest salaries for the profession?
    - The highest salary is 37,400 SEK (male, regional sector), the lowest is 35,400 SEK (female, various sectors).
  • Is education needed to work as a sorter in the wood fiber industry?
    - Yes, upper secondary education in industry or technology is usually required, often with practical components.
  • What occupational health and safety factors should be known?
    - The work environment can be noisy and dusty, but safety routines and protective gear are always used.
  • Are there good job opportunities in the profession?
    - Yes, with 1,437 reported jobs in May 2024, opportunities are plentiful.
  • What are the most common benefits?
    - Common benefits include collective agreements, occupational pensions, wellness allowances, and skills development.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Sorters, wood fiber industry is 37400 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Regional sector with a upper secondary education, maximum 2 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 36700 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Sorters, wood fiber industry is 35400 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 36600 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 99% 31000 kr 36300 kr
25-34 95% 32300 kr 36900 kr
35-44 96% 32400 kr 36400 kr
45-54 93% 32700 kr 37000 kr
55-64 97% 32900 kr 37200 kr
Snitt 96% 32400 kr 36800 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 Sorters, wood fiber industry has the SSYK code 8173, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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