Image that illustrates Steel engraving

Steel engraving

34 700 kr

Prepress technicians

31 800 - 37 800 kr / month

Women earn 85% of what men do.

Industriell tillverkning

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Steel engraving

Average salary 34 700 kr
Males 37 700 kr
Females 31 900 kr
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What does a steel plate engraver do? – Tasks and work environment

A steel plate engraver works on engraving detailed patterns, texts, and images into steel, usually for the production of printing plates, security documents, or artistic purposes. The profession requires high precision and artistic sense, as the work is performed manually with specialized tools. The work environment is often calm and focused, with great emphasis on ergonomics and good lighting to enable meticulous detail work. Steel plate engravers can be employed at larger printing houses, artistic workshops, and by specialized manufacturers of security documents and banknotes.

Salary development over time

The salary for a steel plate engraver has shown stable growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 33,000 SEK per month, which increased to 34 800 SEK in 2023. During 2024, the salary has stabilized somewhat and is now at 34 700 SEK. The total increase from 2022 to 2024 is approximately 5.1%, with a slight decrease of about 0.3% between 2023 and 2024. This trend reflects a modest increase in demand for specialized skills in the field, while changes in the industry and automation may influence the need for traditional craftsmanship. The relatively slow salary increase may also be due to the niche nature of the profession and limited competition for positions.

Steel plate engraver salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 34 700 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 31,800 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 37,800 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage (average): 209 SEK
  • Men (average): 37 700 SEK/month
  • Women (average): 31 900 SEK/month
  • Women’s share of men’s salary: 85%
  • Regional differences: No clear reported differences

Education and qualifications

To work as a steel plate engraver, a combination of artistic training and technical skills is usually required, often acquired through craft education or specialized art schools. Many employers prefer applicants with experience in engraving, metalworking, and fine motor detail work. Practical training and mentorship under experienced engravers are common to develop professional skills.

  • Artistic craft education: 2–3 years at vocational college or folk high school
  • Specialized courses in engraving and metalworking
  • Practical training or apprenticeship with an experienced engraver
  • Prerequisites: Good fine motor skills and interest in details
  • Opportunities for self-study and online courses for basic techniques

The work of a steel plate engraver requires not only technical precision but also a developed artistic eye. Many Swedish banknotes and security documents still bear traces of individual engravers' signatures, making the profession unique in the modern industrial landscape.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Steel plate engravers are usually covered by collective agreements that include occupational pension, vacation pay, and insurance. Some employers also offer wellness allowances, skill development, and flexible working hours depending on projects and workplaces.

Competition and challenges

The profession of steel plate engraver is highly specialized and characterized by a limited job market. Automation and digitization have decreased demand for traditional engraving, making competition for the few available positions fierce. At the same time, there is stable demand in security printing and artistic projects where craftsmanship is still highly valued. The main challenge lies in maintaining and developing skills to meet the demands of a rapidly changing industry. Personal adaptability and a willingness to learn new techniques are crucial for long-term success.

Tips for aspiring steel plate engravers

To succeed as a steel plate engraver, it is good to combine patience with a genuine interest in details and precision. Developing a steady hand and good fine motor skills is essential, so regular practice on different materials is recommended. Accuracy and concentration help minimize mistakes, especially when working on exclusive or security-classified objects. Being open to new technology and methods can provide a competitive advantage, while an artistic eye contributes to unique and in-demand results. Seeking internships and networking with professionals in the field can also increase chances of employment. Finally, resilience and a desire to continually improve your craft are qualities often found in the most successful engravers.

Key facts about Steel Plate Engravers

  • Salary range: 31,800–37,800 SEK/month
  • Education level: Artistic craft training (2–3 years)
  • Work environment: Calm, ergonomically adapted workshops
  • Typical employment: Full-time, sometimes project-based
  • Demand: Niche – approximately 1,437 job openings in the field

Career paths and future prospects

After 3–5 years in the profession, a steel plate engraver can advance to more complex assignments within security printing, artistic engraving, or become responsible for training new engravers. Transitioning to roles such as quality controller, workshop manager, or specialist in printing and prepress is also possible. According to the Employment Service’s forecast, no exact assessment is made for steel plate engravers, but within the broader group of prepress technicians and printers, there are currently 1,437 job openings. Future prospects are driven by technological development and continued demand for unique security solutions and artistic printing, making specialized skills and flexibility important for long-term employment.

Frequently asked questions about Steel Plate Engravers

  • What is the average salary of a steel plate engraver?
    - The average salary is 34 700 SEK per month.
  • Are there significant salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn on average 85% of men's salaries within the profession.
  • What are the future prospects for steel plate engravers?
    - The outlook is niche and influenced by technological development; approximately 1,437 job openings are available in the field.
  • What education is required to become a steel plate engraver?
    - An artistic craft education of 2–3 years plus practical training or an apprenticeship is recommended.
  • Where can a steel plate engraver work?
    - Common workplaces include printing houses, artistic workshops, and companies producing security documents.
  • What is the highest and lowest salary for the profession?
    - The highest salary is 37,800 SEK and the lowest is 31,800 SEK per month.
  • What characterizes the working environment for a steel plate engraver?
    - The work environment is usually calm with a focus on precision and ergonomics.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Steel engraving is 37800 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed officials with a unspecified education. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 37300 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Steel engraving is 31800 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Privately employed officials. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 34900 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
55-64 35900 kr 36300 kr
Snitt 85% 34400 kr 34700 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 Steel engraving has the SSYK code 7321, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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