- Salary statistics
- Welder, arc salary
Welder, arc salary
Latest available salary statistics are for 2025. Compare average pay, salary range and related job listings.
33 900 - 41 500 SEK / month
Women earn 93% of what men do.
Industriell tillverkning
Related tools
Salary progression Welder, arc
What does an arc welder do? – Tasks and work environment
An arc welder primarily works with joining metal structures using an electric arc as the heat source. Tasks include preparing materials, setting up welding equipment, executing weld joints, and inspecting weld quality. The work can be performed across many industries, such as manufacturing, construction, shipbuilding, and production. The work environment is often industrial, involving exposure to noise, heat, and sometimes confined spaces, where protective gear is always required. Precision, safety awareness, and the ability to read technical drawings are central to the profession, as the weld result is often crucial for the strength of the structure.
Wage development over time
The salary for arc welders has developed positively over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 32,600 SEK per month, increasing to 35 900 SEK in 2023. In 2024, the average salary has reached 36 800 SEK, which is about a 10% increase since 2022. This wage development reflects increased demand for trained workers in the industry, while employers are compelled to offer higher wages to attract and retain skilled welders. Although demand is expected to remain unchanged over five years, inflation and collective agreements also influence salary setting for the profession.
Arc welder salary – complete overview
- Average salary: 36 800 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 32,500 SEK/month (male, government sector)
- Highest salary: 38,200 SEK/month (male, private employee, post-secondary education <3 years)
- Hourly wage (average): 216 SEK/hour
- Women’s average salary: 32,800 SEK/month (93% of men’s salary)
- Regional differences: Data unavailable
Education and qualifications
To work as an arc welder, a high school education in industrial technology with a welding specialization or equivalent adult education is usually required. Practical experience is highly valued and often a requirement from employers. There are also opportunities for further training through certifications and specialized courses, which increase employability within the industry.
- High school education: Industrial technology program, 3 years
- Adult education: Vocational adult education or employment training (around 1 year)
- Certifications: Welding license according to SS-EN ISO 9606 or equivalent
- Internship: Often mandatory during training
- Prerequisites: Basic mathematics and technical interest
- Tips for choosing: Select programs with good opportunities for internships and certification
Many welders specialize in different methods and materials, which can open doors to advanced assignments requiring high precision, such as offshore or nuclear industries. Specialization can also lead to roles such as welding inspector or trainer.
Common benefits and compensations
Arc welders are often offered benefits such as paid work clothing, wellness allowances, shift and overtime pay, and collective pension plans. Other common benefits include subsidized lunches, extra vacation days, or opportunities for skill development through courses and certifications.
Competition and challenges
The job market for arc welders is characterized by a paradoxical situation where there are both recruitment difficulties and relatively high unemployment. Many employers report difficulty finding qualified welders, while there is an oversupply of applicants with limited experience or lacking the proper certifications. The work environment can be physically demanding and involve risks if safety measures are inadequate. To improve employment prospects, continuous training and certification updates are essential.
Tips for aspiring arc welders
To succeed as an arc welder, having a technical interest and good problem-solving skills is advantageous, as the profession requires precision and the ability to interpret drawings. Endurance and good physical condition facilitate often heavy and monotonous work, especially during shift work. Flexibility and resilience to stress are valuable qualities, as tasks may vary and the pace can be high. Being meticulous with safety routines and maintaining a structured work approach contribute to quality and safety. Early practical experience or summer jobs in industry can help build skills and contacts. Keeping certifications current and showing a willingness to learn new welding methods further increases employability.
Key facts about arc welders
- Average salary: 36 800 SEK/month
- Salary range: 32,500–38,200 SEK/month
- Gender difference: Women earn 93% of men's salary
- Educational path: High school or adult education with certification
- Demand: Great job opportunities, 1,437 vacancies reported
Career paths and outlook
After three to five years in the profession, an arc welder can advance to more specialized roles, such as welding supervisor, inspector, or production leader. Some choose to further their education in quality control or CAD drawing to broaden their scope. According to labor market forecasts, job opportunities remain strong with stable demand over the next five years. Despite this, there is a paradoxical situation of both recruitment difficulties and high unemployment within the profession, making proper training and certification crucial for becoming attractive to employers.
Frequently asked questions about arc welders
- What does an arc welder earn?
- The average salary is 36 800 SEK per month, with a range from 32,500 to 38,200 SEK depending on experience, education, and sector. - How to become an arc welder?
- Most commonly through high school education in industrial technology with a welding specialization or adult education, along with certification according to industry standards. - Are there jobs for arc welders?
- Yes, there are good job opportunities, with 1,437 vacancies currently reported within the profession. - What workplace hazards exist?
- Exposure to heat, fumes, and noise is common. Proper protective gear and safety routines are crucial. - What are the salary differences between men and women?
- Women’s average salary is 32,800 SEK, which is 93% of men’s average salary of 36 900 SEK. - What benefits are common?
- Benefits such as paid work clothing, wellness allowances, shift and overtime pay, and collective pension plans are frequently offered. - Can I specialize as an arc welder?
- Yes, specializing in different welding methods or materials can lead to career advancement and higher salaries.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 31100 kr | 32300 kr | |
| 25-34 | 88% | 34800 kr | 36600 kr |
| 35-44 | 36100 kr | 37400 kr | |
| 45-54 | 36700 kr | 38000 kr | |
| 55-64 | 36400 kr | 37700 kr | |
| Snitt | 93% | 35400 kr | 36800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55-64 | 33800 kr | 34200 kr | |
| Snitt | 33700 kr | 33900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55-64 | 33800 kr | 34200 kr | |
| Snitt | 33700 kr | 33900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 31100 kr | 32300 kr | |
| 25-34 | 88% | 34800 kr | 36600 kr |
| 35-44 | 36100 kr | 37400 kr | |
| 45-54 | 36700 kr | 38000 kr | |
| 55-64 | 36400 kr | 37700 kr | |
| Snitt | 93% | 35400 kr | 36800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 31100 kr | 32300 kr | |
| 25-34 | 88% | 34800 kr | 36600 kr |
| 35-44 | 36100 kr | 37400 kr | |
| 45-54 | 36700 kr | 38000 kr | |
| 55-64 | 36400 kr | 37700 kr | |
| Snitt | 93% | 35400 kr | 36800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 31000 kr | 32100 kr | |
| 25-34 | 88% | 35300 kr | 37100 kr |
| 35-44 | 36100 kr | 37500 kr | |
| 45-54 | 36700 kr | 38100 kr | |
| 55-64 | 36400 kr | 37800 kr | |
| Snitt | 93% | 35500 kr | 36900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55-64 | 33800 kr | 34200 kr | |
| Snitt | 33700 kr | 33900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55-64 | 33800 kr | 34200 kr | |
| Snitt | 33700 kr | 33900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 31000 kr | 32100 kr | |
| 25-34 | 88% | 35300 kr | 37100 kr |
| 35-44 | 36100 kr | 37500 kr | |
| 45-54 | 36700 kr | 38100 kr | |
| 55-64 | 36400 kr | 37800 kr | |
| Snitt | 93% | 35500 kr | 36900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 31000 kr | 32100 kr | |
| 25-34 | 88% | 35300 kr | 37100 kr |
| 35-44 | 36100 kr | 37500 kr | |
| 45-54 | 36700 kr | 38100 kr | |
| 55-64 | 36400 kr | 37800 kr | |
| Snitt | 93% | 35500 kr | 36900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 88% | 32000 kr | 32800 kr |
| Snitt | 93% | 33300 kr | 34300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 88% | 32000 kr | 32800 kr |
| Snitt | 93% | 33300 kr | 34300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 88% | 32000 kr | 32800 kr |
| Snitt | 93% | 33300 kr | 34300 kr |
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 Welder, arc has the SSYK code 7212, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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