Lathe, wood

33 000 kr

Machine carpenters and machine operators, wood industry

32 200 - 33 800 kr / month

Women earn 97% of what men do.

Industriell tillverkning

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Lathe, wood

Average salary 33 000 kr
Males 33 100 kr
Females 32 200 kr

What does a wood turner do? – Tasks and work environment

A wood turner primarily works on shaping and processing wood parts on lathes, both manual and computer-controlled. Tasks include reading drawings, selecting the right type of wood, setting up machines, and performing precision work. Common products are furniture parts, chair legs, railings, or decorative components that require craftsmanship. The work environment is often workshop-based and may involve exposure to noise, dust, and machinery, demanding accuracy and safety awareness. In many cases, work is done independently and in collaboration with others in the woodworking industry.

Salary development over time

The salary for a wood turner has shown a cautious but steady increase over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 31,100 SEK per month, rising to 32 900 SEK in 2023 and further to 33 000 SEK in 2024. This represents a total salary increase of about 6% over the three-year period, which is slightly below the average for other industrial professions. The modest growth can be explained by stable demand for the role and some overcapacity in certain regions. Factors like education level and experience influence the possibility of higher wages, and regional differences exist within the country.

Wood turner, salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 33 000 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 32,200 SEK/month (female), 32,700 SEK/month (male)
  • Highest salary: 33,600 SEK/month (female), 33,800 SEK/month (male)
  • Hourly wage: 198 SEK/hour
  • Gender differences: Women earn 97% of what men do
  • Regional differences: Vary, but generally small within the country

Education and qualifications

To work as a wood turner, a high school education in wood technology, machine carpentry, or industrial wood processing is usually required. Practical experience is often crucial, and many employers prefer candidates with internships or trainee programs. Some workplaces also offer internal courses to teach specific machines or techniques, enabling career development regardless of background. Formal certifications are rare but can be advantageous for certain specialized roles.

  • High school education: Wood technology or industrial wood processing (3 years)
  • Internships: Often a requirement during or after education
  • Internal courses: Common for introduction to specific machines
  • Prerequisites: Basic mathematics and technical interest
  • Further education: Possible via YH-educations or specialized courses

Many wood turners combine traditional craftsmanship with modern technology, where digital drawings and CNC machines are becoming increasingly common. This blend of old and new makes the profession both creative and technically challenging.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Benefits for wood turners often include collective agreement-based occupational pension schemes, wellness allowances, and work clothing. Other common compensations are shift bonuses, opportunities for further training, and sometimes bonuses for meeting production targets. Some employers also offer subsidized lunches or employee discounts on company products.

Competition and challenges

Competition within the profession of wood turners is moderate but can vary depending on region and economic conditions. A challenge is that the job market is affected by fluctuations in the construction and furniture industries, making demand sensitive to economic changes. Technological advances and automation increase demands for digital skills, while traditional craftsmanship remains highly valued. For those seeking to establish themselves, experience and specialization, such as CNC turning, are often advantageous. Limited data makes future prospects uncertain, but the availability of job openings is relatively good.

Tips for aspiring wood turners

To succeed as a wood turner, developing patience and precision is important, as the profession requires accuracy in every step. An interest in technology facilitates learning new machines and methods, especially as digital tools are integrated into production. Creative problem-solving skills are valuable when facing unexpected challenges with different types of wood and shapes. Being cooperative and communicative contributes to smooth workflows, especially in workshop environments where teamwork is central. A willingness to continually update skills and stay informed about industry developments offers good opportunities for advancement and increased job satisfaction.

Key facts about wood turners

  • Average salary: 33 000 SEK/month
  • Salary range: 32,200–33,800 SEK/month
  • Education level: High school education in wood technology
  • Work environment: Workshop, often with machinery and noise
  • Available jobs: 1,437 within the profession (May 2024)

Career paths and future outlook

After three to five years in the profession, a wood turner can advance to more specialized roles such as CNC operator, supervisor, or production planner within the woodworking industry. Opportunities also exist to work as a team leader or start their own craft business. According to employment agency statistics, it is difficult to make an exact assessment of the future prospects for wood turners due to limited data, but there are many job openings within the profession. Demand is influenced by developments in the construction and furniture industries, as well as companies seeking craftsmanship combined with technical skills. Digitalization and automation favor those investing in further training in modern machinery systems for long-term employment.

Common questions about wood turners

  • What does a wood turner earn?
    - The average salary is 33 000 SEK per month, with an hourly wage of 198 SEK.
  • What education is required to become a wood turner?
    - A high school education in wood technology or machine carpentry is recommended.
  • Are there differences between men's and women's wages?
    - Yes, women earn approximately 97% of what men do
  • What is the work environment like?
    - Work mainly takes place in a workshop with machinery and noise, where safety is important.
  • How many jobs are available for wood turners?
    - There are 1,437 available jobs according to current statistics.
  • What career paths are available after a few years?
    - Opportunities include advancing to CNC operator, supervisor, or starting your own business.
  • How has the salary developed in recent years?
    - The salary has increased from 31,100 SEK (2022) to 33 000 SEK (2024).

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Lathe, wood is 33800 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Multiple sectors with a pre-secondary education, 9 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 33600 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Lathe, wood is 32200 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 32700 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 29500 kr 31400 kr
25-34 31300 kr 32600 kr
35-44 31700 kr 32600 kr
45-54 32300 kr 33300 kr
55-64 99% 32700 kr 33900 kr
Snitt 97% 31900 kr 33000 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 Lathe, wood has the SSYK code 7523, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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