How much does a Extruder, plastic make

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Extruder, plastic

33 200 kr

Machine operators, plastics industry

31 500 - 35 700 kr / month

Women earn 94% of what men do.

Industriell tillverkning

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Extruder, plastic

Average salary 33 200 kr
Males 33 900 kr
Females 31 800 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 25 Vacant jobs ->

What does a plastic extrusion operator do – tasks and work environment

A plastic extrusion operator is responsible for monitoring and controlling machines that produce plastic products through extrusion, a process where plastic material is melted and pressed through a mold to create products with specific profiles. The work involves setting up machines, supervising production, inspecting quality, and performing routine maintenance. The work environment is often industrial, with noise, high temperatures, and sometimes shift work. Safety routines and precision are crucial to ensure both product quality and a safe working environment.

Salary development over time

The salary for plastic extrusion operators has steadily increased in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 30,900 SEK per month, rising to 32 000 SEK in 2023 and further to 33 200 SEK in 2024. This represents a total increase of approximately 7.5% over these three years. The salary trend reflects ongoing demand for the profession despite increased automation, as well as general inflation in the job market. However, the growth rate has slowed somewhat, possibly due to technological changes and the expectation that the profession will be affected by automation and efficiency improvements in the industry long-term.

Plastic extrusion operator salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 33 200 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 31,500 SEK/month (female, regional sector, high school diploma up to 2 years)
  • Highest salary: 35,700 SEK/month (male, private sector, post-secondary education of at least 3 years)
  • Hourly wage: 200 SEK
  • Gender differences: Women earn 94% of what men do (men: 33 900 SEK, women: 31 800 SEK)
  • Regional differences: Salary variations occur depending on employer and region

Education and qualifications

To work as a plastic extrusion operator, a high school education with a focus on industry, production, or technology is typically required. Many employers also offer internal training and onboarding. Practical experience and a technical interest are valuable assets for quickly entering the profession.

  • High school education: Industrial technology program, 3 years
  • Internship: Practical components or apprenticeship periods are often included
  • Certifications: Opportunities for industry-specific courses and certificates
  • Prerequisites: Technical interest and some machine familiarity are recommended
  • Further education: Can be pursued internally or via vocational colleges for specialization

Plastic industry extrusion operators often work in teams where collaboration and communication are central to ensuring smooth production. Many companies offer opportunities to learn multiple machines and processes, providing variation and development in daily work.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensation

Typical benefits for plastic extrusion operators include shift and overtime allowances, wellness contributions, work clothing, and sometimes bonuses or performance-based pay. Some employers also offer opportunities for skills development and further training within the company.

Competition and challenges

The profession as a plastic extrusion operator presents a paradoxical labor market: current job opportunities are plentiful, but demand is expected to decline over five years due to increased automation and technological development. At the same time, recruitment difficulties are reported, as many leave the profession and it can be challenging to find the right skills. Flexibility and willingness to learn new things are important qualities to meet the changes happening in the industry. Competition for jobs can therefore vary significantly depending on region and employer.

Tips for those wanting to become a plastic extrusion operator

To succeed as a plastic extrusion operator, it is helpful to have a genuine technical interest and be precise in your work, as machine settings require accuracy. Being cooperative facilitates teamwork and high-paced production. Flexibility is a strength, as tasks can vary and shift work is common. Showing engagement and a willingness to learn new processes increases chances for development and advancement. Problem-solving skills and patience are important when unexpected situations arise. Good physical endurance is also beneficial, as the work can be monotonous and sometimes physically demanding. Finally, actively seeking feedback and learning from colleagues' experiences helps to quickly become self-sufficient in the role.

Key facts about plastic extrusion operators

  • Salary range: 31,500–35,700 SEK/month
  • Education level: High school, often industrial technology programs
  • Work environment: Industrial setting with common shift work
  • Demand: Good opportunities today, but decreasing over five years
  • Number of job openings: 1,437 in the occupational group of machine operators, plastic industry

Career paths and future outlook

After three to five years as a plastic extrusion operator, there may be opportunities to move into more advanced roles such as supervisor, process technician, or maintenance manager. Some choose to further their education in production technology or automation to broaden their skills. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, current job prospects are strong, but demand is expected to decline within five years due to automation and technological progress. Despite this, the continued number of available positions indicates that those with the right education and experience have good chances of establishing themselves in the labor market.

Frequently asked questions about plastic extrusion operators

  • What does a plastic extrusion operator earn?
    - The average salary is 33 200 SEK per month, with an hourly wage of about 200 SEK.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn an average of 31 800 SEK and men 33 900 SEK, meaning women earn 94% of men's salaries.
  • What education is required to become a plastic extrusion operator?
    - High school education, often in industrial technology programs, along with practical experience or internal training.
  • What are the future prospects for the profession?
    - Today, job opportunities are plentiful, but demand is expected to decrease within five years due to increased automation.
  • What tasks does a plastic extrusion operator perform?
    - Monitoring and controlling machines, inspecting product quality, maintaining equipment, and following safety routines.
  • What is the highest and lowest salary in the profession?
    - The highest salary is 35,700 SEK (male, private sector, post-secondary education), and the lowest is 31,500 SEK (female, regional sector, high school diploma).
  • How many job openings are available for plastic extrusion operators?
    - There are 1,437 available positions within the occupational group of machine operators, plastic industry.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-08 05:01:07

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Extruder, plastic is 35700 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed officials with a post-secondary education, 3 years or more. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 32200 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Extruder, plastic is 31500 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Regional sector. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 33500 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 97% 27500 kr 30400 kr
25-34 95% 30900 kr 33900 kr
35-44 95% 31400 kr 34000 kr
45-54 91% 31000 kr 33400 kr
55-64 91% 31400 kr 33600 kr
Snitt 94% 30600 kr 33200 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 Extruder, plastic has the SSYK code 8142, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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