Image that illustrates Knitters, textile industry

Knitters, textile industry

30 400 kr

Other machine operators, textile, leather and leather industry

29 400 - 32 200 kr / month

Women earn 95% of what men do.

Industriell tillverkning

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Knitters, textile industry

Average salary 30 400 kr
Males 31 200 kr
Females 29 700 kr

What does a knitter do in the textile industry? – Tasks and work environment

A knitter in the textile industry primarily works with monitoring, operating, and adjusting knitting machines that produce knitted textiles for clothing, technical applications, or interior design. Tasks include starting and stopping machines, controlling material flow, performing quality checks, and quickly addressing any operational disruptions. It is common for a knitter to be responsible for several machines simultaneously, which requires attention and quick problem-solving. The work environment is often characterized by noise, repetitive movements, and shift work, especially in larger factories. Safety routines and ergonomic tools are important to reduce the risk of strain injuries and accidents.

Wage development over time

The salary for knitters in the textile industry has increased steadily over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 27,700 SEK per month, followed by an increase to 29 600 SEK in 2023. The latest figure from 2024 shows a further increase to 30 400 SEK per month, which represents a total rise of approximately 9.8% during this period. Factors driving this trend include increased demand for skilled machine operators, general wage adjustments within the industry, and a greater focus on technical skills. The wage development also reflects a certain shortage of experienced workers, prompting employers to offer more competitive conditions.

Knitter, textile industry salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 30 400 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 29,400 SEK/month (female, private sector, 3-year vocational education)
  • Highest salary: 32,200 SEK/month (male, regional sector, up to 2 years of vocational education)
  • Hourly wage: 183 SEK/hour
  • Gender differences: Women earn 95% of what men do (women 29 700 SEK, men 31 200 SEK)
  • Regional differences: Highest wages are found in the regional sector, lowest in the private sector

Education and qualifications

The path to becoming a knitter in the textile industry usually involves a vocational upper secondary education, mainly in textiles and fashion or industrial technology. Practical experience is highly valued, and many employers offer internal training to ensure operators master specific machines and processes. Further education and certifications in production technology or machine maintenance can be advantageous and open up additional career opportunities.

  • Vocational upper secondary education: Textiles and fashion, 3 years
  • Internships: Often included in the education or offered by employers
  • Internal training: Common at workplaces
  • Technical courses: Can provide an advantage in machine handling
  • Prerequisites: Basic technical interest and attention to detail

Technically inclined knitters often have the opportunity to participate in the development of new textile products and materials, where innovation and creativity become important parts of daily work. The industry's increasing focus on sustainability and smart textiles means that tasks can change rapidly, opening up new and exciting projects.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Knitters in the textile industry are often offered benefits such as shift premium pay, wellness contributions, work clothing, and sometimes subsidized lunches. Some employers also provide opportunities for skills development and further training within the company, as well as collective agreement-based insurances and pensions.

Competition and challenges

The profession of a knitter in the textile industry is characterized by relatively stable demand, but competition may vary depending on region and economic conditions. Automation and technological development require continuous skills development, and tasks can become more complex. Physically demanding tasks, monotonous work, and shift work pose challenges for many. A shortage of experienced personnel can provide advantages for those with the right qualifications, but high demands are placed on accuracy and flexibility.

Tips for aspiring knitters in the textile industry

To succeed as a knitter in the textile industry, it is helpful to have a genuine interest in technology and machines, which facilitates learning and problem-solving. A careful and responsible attitude helps ensure high quality and prevent operational disruptions. Flexibility is important as tasks and working hours can vary, especially with shift work. Good teamwork skills are valued since work often occurs in teams where communication is crucial for safety and efficiency. Finally, patience and perseverance are advantageous, especially during monotonous tasks and when the pace is high in the factory.

Key facts about knitters in the textile industry

  • Average salary: 30 400 SEK/month
  • Education level: Vocational upper secondary education, often 3 years
  • Work environment: Factory setting with shift work and noise
  • Gender differences: Women earn 95% of what men do
  • Number of job openings: 1,437

Career paths and future outlook

After three to five years as a knitter in the textile industry, there are opportunities to advance to supervisor, technician, or production planner within the same or related fields. Further education in production technology or maintenance can open additional career paths, such as machine technician or quality manager. Forecasts from the Employment Service indicate that, due to limited data, no precise assessment is made for this profession, but the 1,437 job openings suggest continued demand. The industry’s move towards more advanced and sustainable textiles may also create new roles and tasks for those looking to grow in the field.

Frequently asked questions about knitters in the textile industry

  • What does a knitter earn in the textile industry?
    - The average salary is 30 400 SEK per month, with variation depending on experience, gender, and sector.
  • What is the work environment like for knitters?
    - The work environment is often noisy and involves shift work, but safety routines and ergonomic tools are common.
  • What education is required to become a knitter?
    - A vocational upper secondary education in textiles or industrial technology is most common, combined with practical training.
  • Are there wage differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn 95% of what men do on average.
  • What are the future prospects?
    - There are 1,437 job openings within the profession, but no precise forecast due to limited data.
  • What career paths are available after a few years?
    - Opportunities include advancing to supervisor, technician, or production planner.
  • What is the highest and lowest salary?
    - The highest salary is 32,200 SEK and the lowest 29,400 SEK per month.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Knitters, textile industry is 32200 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 30300 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Knitters, textile industry is 29400 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Privately employed officials. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 31000 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 25600 kr 27300 kr
25-34 94% 27400 kr 29500 kr
35-44 95% 28700 kr 29900 kr
45-54 92% 29400 kr 31200 kr
55-64 94% 29900 kr 31300 kr
Snitt 95% 28800 kr 30400 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 Knitters, textile industry has the SSYK code 8159, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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