How do gender differences appear in wages?

Women earn 93% of what men do, with women earning 33,700 SEK and men earning 36,300 SEK.

What education is required to work as an operator?

High school education with a focus on industrial, technical, or similar fields is most common, often supplemented with internal training.

What is the job market like for operators?

There are approximately 1,437 job openings in the profession, and demand is considered stable.

What are the most common job tasks?

Setting, adjusting, and monitoring machines, as well as performing basic maintenance and quality checks.

Are there regional differences in wages?

Yes, the highest wages are found within the regional sector, especially for men.

What career opportunities are available after a few years?

Advancement to roles such as technician, production manager, or specialization in automation and quality control is possible.

Ställar, stationery industry salary

40 300 SEK

Machine operators, paper goods industry

Latest available salary statistics are for 2025. Compare average pay, salary range and related job listings.

36 500 - 41 900 SEK / month

Women earn 91% of what men do.

Industriell tillverkning

Average salary 40 300 SEK/month Monthly gross salary

Salary range 36 500 - 41 900 SEK Latest available range Data year 2025 Latest published dataset

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Salary trend About the role What does an operator do in the paper product industry? – Tasks and work environment Wage development over time Operator wages in the paper product industry – full overview Open jobs Related occupations About the data FAQ

Salary progression Ställar, stationery industry

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What does an operator do in the paper product industry? – Tasks and work environment

An operator in the paper product industry is responsible for setting, monitoring, and adjusting production machines that manufacture various paper products. Tasks include preparing machines for production, changing tools and equipment, and handling minor repairs or troubleshooting. Precision and technical interest are crucial, as accurate settings are needed to ensure consistent quality and minimal material waste. The working environment is often close to production, involving shift work and working in noisy, fast-paced environments. Safety routines are essential to prevent accidents and create a safe workplace.

Wage development over time

Over the past three years, wages for operators in the paper product industry have shown steady positive growth. In 2022, the average salary was 34,100 SEK, which increased to 35 700 SEK in 2023 and reached 40 300 SEK in 2024. This corresponds to an approximate wage increase of 4.7% over the period. Wage development can be linked to technological advancements within the industry, increased demand for skilled machine operators, and general wage adjustments in the industrial sector. Although the profession belongs to a broad occupational group, specialized knowledge and experience have become more valuable, positively affecting wages. Gender wage differences persist and are clearly visible in the statistics.

Operator wages in the paper product industry – full overview

Average salary: 40 300 SEK/month
Lowest salary: 32,800 SEK/month (women), 34,500 SEK/month (men)
Highest salary: 34,300 SEK/month (women), 37,000 SEK/month (men)
Hourly wage: 215 SEK
Gender differences: Women earn 91% of what men do
Regional differences: Salary variations exist, with the highest wages seen in the regional sector

Education and qualifications

To work as an operator in the paper product industry, a high school diploma with a focus on industry, technology, or similar is usually required. Practical experience with machine handling and technical understanding is advantageous, and many employers offer internal training or introduction. In some cases, supplementary courses or certifications in mechanical engineering and production can be valuable.

High school education: Industrial or technical focus (2–3 years)
Internal training: Commonly provided by employers
Internship: Workplace-based internships during high school are common
Certifications: Courses in machine safety and maintenance can be advantageous
Prerequisites: Technical interest and good physical health

Operators in the paper product industry often have the opportunity to directly influence the quality of the final product through their work, making the profession both challenging and rewarding for those who enjoy problem-solving and technology.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Employers in the paper product industry often offer collective agreement-based benefits such as occupational pension, insurance, shift allowances, and wellness contributions. Opportunities for further training and skills development are also available, along with work clothing and sometimes subsidized lunches or employee discounts.

Competition and challenges

The role of an operator in the paper product industry involves technical challenges and high demands for accuracy during production. Competition for jobs varies depending on the region and economic conditions, but since the profession belongs to a broad occupational group, there are often job openings to apply for. Automation and technological development influence the role and require increased digital skills and problem-solving abilities. A challenge is staying updated on new equipment and production methods. At the same time, the work can be physically demanding and involve shift work, which may not suit everyone.

Tips for those who want to become an operator in the paper product industry

To succeed as an operator in the paper product industry, it is good to combine technical interest with practical problem-solving skills. Being precise and patient helps ensure that machines are set correctly and production runs smoothly. Flexibility and good teamwork skills facilitate daily work, especially during shift work and when the team must quickly solve unexpected problems. A willingness to learn new things and stay updated on technological developments is a big advantage, as machinery and work routines are constantly changing. Working systematically and prioritizing safety are crucial for quality and work environment. Last but not least, some resilience under stress during periods of high production is beneficial.

Key facts about operators in the paper product industry

Average salary: 40 300 SEK/month
Education level: High school, technical/industrial focus
Typical work form: Shift work in a production environment
Number of job openings in the profession: 1437
Gender wage difference: Women earn 91% of men's wages

Career paths and future prospects

After a few years of experience as an operator in the paper product industry, there are opportunities to advance to roles such as lead technician, production supervisor, or maintenance manager. Specialization in machine optimization, quality control, or automation is also common. The Swedish Public Employment Service's forecasts for machine operators in the paper industry indicate that, due to limited data, there is no clear assessment of future prospects, but the large number of job openings suggests continued demand. Digitalization and automation will shape the future of the profession, making technical competence and a willingness to develop skills important factors for long-term career growth.

Frequently asked questions about operators in the paper product industry

What does an operator earn in the paper product industry?
- An operator in the paper product industry has an average salary of 40 300 SEK/month.
How do gender differences appear in wages?
- Women earn 37 300 SEK while men earn 41 000 SEK, meaning women have 91% of men's wages.
What education is required to work as an operator?
- High school education with a focus on technical or industrial fields is most common, often supplemented with internal training.
What is the job market like for operators?
- There are approximately 1437 job openings, and demand is considered stable.
What are the most common tasks?
- Setting, adjusting, and monitoring machines, as well as performing basic maintenance and quality checks.
Are there regional wage differences?
- Yes, the highest wages are found within the regional sector, especially for men.
What career opportunities are available after a few years?
- Advancement to roles such as technician, production manager, or specialization in automation and quality control is possible.

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-08 04:16:02

Occupation

Salary distributed by age and sector

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
18-24		30500 kr	35700 kr
25-34		32900 kr	37800 kr
35-44	92%	34900 kr	40000 kr
45-54	90%	36400 kr	41900 kr
55-64	89%	37100 kr	42500 kr
Snitt	91%	35000 kr	40300 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
18-24		30500 kr	35700 kr
25-34		32900 kr	37800 kr
35-44	92%	34900 kr	40000 kr
45-54	90%	36400 kr	41900 kr
55-64	89%	37100 kr	42500 kr
Snitt	91%	35000 kr	40300 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
18-24		30500 kr	35700 kr
25-34		32900 kr	37800 kr
35-44	92%	34900 kr	40000 kr
45-54	90%	36400 kr	41900 kr
55-64	89%	37100 kr	42500 kr
Snitt	91%	35000 kr	40300 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
18-24		30800 kr	36300 kr
25-34		33100 kr	38200 kr
35-44	92%	35200 kr	40600 kr
45-54	90%	37000 kr	42700 kr
55-64	89%	37900 kr	43600 kr
Snitt	91%	35500 kr	41000 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
18-24		30800 kr	36300 kr
25-34		33100 kr	38200 kr
35-44	92%	35200 kr	40600 kr
45-54	90%	37000 kr	42700 kr
55-64	89%	37900 kr	43600 kr
Snitt	91%	35500 kr	41000 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
18-24		30800 kr	36300 kr
25-34		33100 kr	38200 kr
35-44	92%	35200 kr	40600 kr
45-54	90%	37000 kr	42700 kr
55-64	89%	37900 kr	43600 kr
Snitt	91%	35500 kr	41000 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
35-44	92%	33100 kr	37400 kr
45-54	90%	33800 kr	38500 kr
55-64	89%	34000 kr	38800 kr
Snitt	91%	32900 kr	37300 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
35-44	92%	33100 kr	37400 kr
45-54	90%	33800 kr	38500 kr
55-64	89%	34000 kr	38800 kr
Snitt	91%	32900 kr	37300 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
35-44	92%	33100 kr	37400 kr
45-54	90%	33800 kr	38500 kr
55-64	89%	34000 kr	38800 kr
Snitt	91%	32900 kr	37300 kr

* Empty columns indicate that the statistical data was insufficient to allow for a statistically significant conclusion.

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 Ställar, stationery industry has the SSYK code 8143, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.