What does a sterilizer in food preservation earn?

The average salary is 30,800 SEK per month. Women earn on average 32,300 SEK and men 30,400 SEK.

What education is required to become a sterilizer in food preservation?

High school education in food production or industry is recommended, along with an introduction and practical training at the workplace.

What is the working environment like?

The working environment is industrial with high hygiene standards, often shift work and physical labor.

Are there salary differences between men and women?

Yes, women earn on average 106% of what men earn in the profession.

What are the future prospects for the profession?

The labor market is balanced but demand is expected to decrease in the long term, mainly due to automation.

What benefits are common?

Overtime pay, wellness allowance, work clothing, and opportunities for further training are common benefits.

How many job openings are there in the profession?

There are approximately 1,437 job openings in the occupational group of machine operators, food.

Sterilizers, preservatives salary

33 000 SEK

Machine operators, meat and fish processing industry

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

31 500 - 34 400 SEK / month

Women earn 98% of what men do.

Industriell tillverkning

Average salary 33 000 SEK/month Monthly gross salary

Salary range 31 500 - 34 400 SEK Latest available range Data year 2025 Latest published dataset

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Salary trend About the role What does a sterilizer in food preservation do? – Tasks and work environment Salary development over time Sterilizer, food preservation salary – comprehensive overview Open jobs Related occupations About the data

Salary progression Sterilizers, preservatives

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What does a sterilizer in food preservation do? – Tasks and work environment

Sterilizers in food preservation mainly work to ensure that food, especially meat and fish, is treated and packaged under hygienic conditions to prevent contamination and extend shelf life. Tasks include monitoring sterilization processes, adjusting machinery, controlling temperatures, and documenting production data. The work often takes place in production facilities where temperatures can vary and where high demands are placed on cleanliness and accuracy. The work environment is generally industrial with elements of physical work, shift work, and high hygiene standards.

Salary development over time

The salary for a sterilizer in food preservation has shown a stable and positive trend over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 28,500 SEK per month, increasing to 30 800 SEK the following year. In 2024, the average salary has risen further to 33 000 SEK, which corresponds to an increase of approximately 8% over the period. This trend reflects both general wage adjustments within the industry and an increased focus on food safety. Demand for specialized personnel has positively affected salary development, although technological advancements and automation may temper salary increases in the long run.

Sterilizer, food preservation salary – comprehensive overview

Average salary: 33 000 SEK/month
Lowest salary (men): 28,500 SEK/month
Highest salary (men): 33,300 SEK/month
Lowest salary (women): 31,400 SEK/month
Highest salary (women): 32,700 SEK/month
Hourly wage (average): 185 SEK
Women earn: 98% of what men do
Regional differences: Small to moderate, with the highest salaries found in the regional sector

Education and qualifications

To work as a sterilizer in food preservation, a high school education focusing on food production or industry is usually required. Many employers also value experience with machinery handling and knowledge of food hygiene. Practical experience is highly regarded, and introductory training at the workplace is common. Additional education and certifications in food safety can be advantageous.

High school education: Food program or industrial specialization, 2–3 years
Certifications: Courses in food hygiene and machinery safety
Internship: Workplace-based internship during high school or as a trainee
Prerequisites: Good Swedish, technical understanding, and attention to detail
Tips: Experience from process industries or similar is highly meritorious

The work as a sterilizer in food preservation often requires strong teamwork skills, as production occurs in teams where each person's contribution affects the entire chain. Good teamwork contributes to both efficiency and a pleasant work environment.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Common benefits for sterilizers in food preservation include overtime pay for shift work, wellness allowances, work shoes, and work clothing. Some workplaces also offer employee discounts on company products and opportunities for further education and training in food safety and machinery handling.

Competition and challenges

The labor market for sterilizers in food preservation is characterized by a balance between supply and demand, but forecasts indicate a decreased demand over the next five years. This development is mainly driven by increased automation and technological advancements in the food industry. Despite this, there are still many job openings, especially for individuals with the right education and experience. Challenges in the profession include high demands for accuracy, physically demanding work environments, and the need for continuous adaptation to new routines and machinery. The ability to work shifts and follow strict hygiene regulations is crucial for success and job satisfaction in the role.

Tips for those who want to become sterilizers in food preservation

To succeed as a sterilizer in food preservation, it is important to be detail-oriented and careful, as small mistakes can have significant consequences for food safety. Good teamwork skills facilitate work in teams where production depends on everyone following routines and communicating effectively. Adaptability is also important, as the work environment and technology are constantly evolving, and new tasks may arise. Being resilient under stress helps during shift work and periods of high production. Finally, an interest in technology and machinery is a clear advantage, as the profession involves daily handling and monitoring of advanced equipment.

Key facts about sterilizers in food preservation

Salary range: 28,500–33,300 SEK/month
Average salary: 33 000 SEK/month
Women/men: Women earn 98% of what men do
Work environment: Industrial, often shift work and high hygiene standards
Job openings: 1,437 within the occupational group of machine operators, food

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a sterilizer in food preservation, there are opportunities to advance to leadership roles such as team leader, supervisor, or process operator within the food industry. Some choose to further their education in quality assurance or production technology, which can open doors to more specialized positions. Forecasts from the Employment Service show that the labor market is balanced, but demand for the profession is expected to decline in the long term, mainly due to technological development and automation. For those looking to develop within the industry, broadening skills and being open to new tasks and training is advantageous.

Common questions about sterilizers in food preservation

What does a sterilizer in food preservation earn?
- The average salary is 33 000 SEK per month. Women earn on average 32 600 SEK and men 33 200 SEK.
What education is required to become a sterilizer in food preservation?
- High school education in food or industry is recommended, along with introduction and practical training at the workplace.
What is the work environment like?
- The work environment is industrial with high hygiene standards, often shift work and physical labor.
Are there salary differences between men and women?
- Yes, women earn on average 98% of what men do in the profession.
What are the future prospects for the profession?
- The labor market is balanced but demand is expected to decrease in the long term, mainly due to automation.
What benefits are common?
- Overtime pay, wellness allowances, work clothing, and opportunities for further education are common benefits.
How many job openings are there in the profession?
- Approximately 1,437 within the occupational group of machine operators, food.

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-05 22:36:26

Occupation

Salary distributed by age and sector

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
18-24		28600 kr	32000 kr
25-34	98%	29600 kr	32400 kr
35-44	101%	30200 kr	32700 kr
45-54	97%	30500 kr	33100 kr
55-64	92%	31500 kr	34700 kr
Snitt	98%	30200 kr	33000 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
18-24		28600 kr	32000 kr
25-34	98%	29600 kr	32400 kr
35-44	101%	30200 kr	32700 kr
45-54	97%	30500 kr	33100 kr
55-64	92%	31500 kr	34700 kr
Snitt	98%	30200 kr	33000 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
18-24		28600 kr	32000 kr
25-34	98%	29600 kr	32400 kr
35-44	101%	30200 kr	32700 kr
45-54	97%	30500 kr	33100 kr
55-64	92%	31500 kr	34700 kr
Snitt	98%	30200 kr	33000 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
18-24		28600 kr	32000 kr
25-34	98%	29900 kr	32600 kr
35-44	101%	30200 kr	32700 kr
45-54	97%	30800 kr	33500 kr
55-64	92%	32000 kr	35800 kr
Snitt	98%	30300 kr	33200 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
18-24		28600 kr	32000 kr
25-34	98%	29900 kr	32600 kr
35-44	101%	30200 kr	32700 kr
45-54	97%	30800 kr	33500 kr
55-64	92%	32000 kr	35800 kr
Snitt	98%	30300 kr	33200 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
18-24		28600 kr	32000 kr
25-34	98%	29900 kr	32600 kr
35-44	101%	30200 kr	32700 kr
45-54	97%	30800 kr	33500 kr
55-64	92%	32000 kr	35800 kr
Snitt	98%	30300 kr	33200 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
25-34	98%	28700 kr	32000 kr
35-44	101%	30100 kr	32800 kr
45-54	97%	30100 kr	32400 kr
55-64	92%	30700 kr	33000 kr
Snitt	98%	29900 kr	32600 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
25-34	98%	28700 kr	32000 kr
35-44	101%	30100 kr	32800 kr
45-54	97%	30100 kr	32400 kr
55-64	92%	30700 kr	33000 kr
Snitt	98%	29900 kr	32600 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
25-34	98%	28700 kr	32000 kr
35-44	101%	30100 kr	32800 kr
45-54	97%	30100 kr	32400 kr
55-64	92%	30700 kr	33000 kr
Snitt	98%	29900 kr	32600 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 Sterilizers, preservatives has the SSYK code 8161, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.