- Salary statistics
- System operator, printing company
System operator, printing company
32 000 - 37 000 kr / month
Women earn 89% of what men do.
Industriell tillverkning
Salary progression System operator, printing company
What does a printing press operator do? – Tasks and work environment
A printing press operator in a printing house is responsible for monitoring, controlling, and optimizing digital and mechanical processes in a modern print shop. The role involves handling and troubleshooting printing presses, overseeing production flows, and ensuring print quality and delivery times meet customer requirements. The work environment is often technologically advanced, focusing on both automated systems and manual tasks, with collaboration between technicians and production staff being central. The work may include shift work and sometimes requires quick decision-making during operational disruptions to minimize production downtime.
Salary development over time
The salary for a printing press operator has shown a relatively stable but positive trend in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 33,100 SEK per month, which decreased slightly to 32 500 SEK in 2023, before rising sharply to 35 000 SEK in 2024. This increase corresponds to a salary rise of approximately 7.7% between 2023 and 2024, which is notable within the profession. The development can be linked to increased demand for skilled operators as print shops digitalize and become more efficient. At the same time, technological advancements and the need for competent operators have contributed to rising wages, especially for those with experience and technical training.
Many printing press operators have taken on increased responsibilities as digitalization progresses, where integration between software and machinery requires both technical understanding and problem-solving skills. It is common for the role to be combined with quality assurance and process optimization, providing opportunities to influence the entire production chain.
Printing press operator salary – complete overview
- Average salary: 35 000 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 32,000 SEK/month (female), 34,000 SEK/month (male)
- Highest salary: 32,300 SEK/month (female), 37,000 SEK/month (male)
- Hourly wage: 210 SEK/hour
- Gender pay gap: Women earn 89% of what men do
Education and qualifications
To work as a printing press operator, a high school diploma with a technical focus is usually required, preferably supplemented with further education in printing technology or automation. Practical experience with machinery handling and process industries is highly meritorious, and many employers also value knowledge of digital control systems and quality assurance. Opportunities for further training and certifications within industry-specific areas are common.
- High school diploma: Industrial technology program or equivalent
- YH (Higher Vocational Education) courses: Printing press operation/production management, 1–2 years
- Certifications: Courses in digital printing technology and automation
- Internships: Workplace internships or trainee programs are common
- Prerequisites: Basic technical interest and problem-solving skills
Common benefits and compensation
Among the most common benefits for printing press operators are shift allowances, wellness contributions, and opportunities for skill development through internal and external training. Occupational pensions and insurance are often included in employment, along with subsidized lunches and sometimes bonuses for meeting production targets. Extra compensation may be offered for night and weekend work.
Competition and challenges
The competition for jobs as a printing press operator is moderate but demands high technical competence and adaptability. Digitalization and automation of the printing industry mean that tasks change rapidly, requiring continuous skills development. Challenges particularly arise during the implementation of new systems and machinery, where willingness to learn new skills provides a clear advantage. A decreasing number of traditional print shops may also make the job market more niche, but growth in digital printing and specialized production creates new opportunities. To stand out, candidates need to demonstrate both technical knowledge and teamwork skills.
Tips for aspiring printing press operators
To succeed as a printing press operator, it is good to combine a strong technical interest with accuracy and responsibility. Analytical skills are helpful for troubleshooting and optimizing printing processes, while teamwork ability facilitates working in production teams. Keeping up with new technologies and machinery provides a competitive edge, and flexibility is important as tasks can vary greatly from day to day. Showing initiative by taking extra responsibility or suggesting improvements is often appreciated by employers. Finally, patience and stress resistance are key qualities, especially during peak production times or unexpected stoppages.
Key facts about printing press operators
- Salary range: 32,000–37,000 SEK/month
- Education level: High school or YH education
- Typical work arrangement: Shift work within an industrial environment
- Demand: 1,437 job openings in Sweden right now
- Gender pay gap: Women earn 89% of men's salaries
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years in the profession as a printing press operator, there are good opportunities to advance to roles such as production manager, technician, or quality manager. The technological development within the industry also opens doors to specialization in digital printing, automation, or maintenance. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service's forecast, the future outlook is stable with continued demand for qualified operators, especially within digitalized print shops and specialized production. The possibility to further educate oneself and take on more responsibility is high, and the job market shows a broad need for both experienced and newly trained operators.
Frequently asked questions about printing press operators
- What does a printing press operator earn?
- The average salary is 35 000 SEK per month, with a range between 32,000 and 37,000 SEK. - Are there salary differences between men and women?
- Yes, women earn on average 32,000 SEK while men earn 35 800 SEK, which means women earn 89% of men's salaries. - What education is required to become a printing press operator?
- A high school diploma with a technical focus or relevant YH education is most common, along with practical experience. - What is the job market like for printing press operators?
- Currently, there are 1,437 job openings in the profession, and the outlook is considered good. - What are the most common tasks?
- Monitoring and controlling printing processes, troubleshooting machines, quality assurance, and managing digital control systems. - What benefits are typical?
- Shift allowances, wellness contributions, occupational pension, and opportunities for training are common benefits. - What are the career prospects?
- After a few years, opportunities exist to become a production manager, technician, or specialize in automation and digital printing.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 27600 kr | 30800 kr | |
| 25-34 | 30500 kr | 32600 kr | |
| 35-44 | 33700 kr | 35700 kr | |
| 45-54 | 36900 kr | 38500 kr | |
| 55-64 | 34000 kr | 35000 kr | |
| Snitt | 89% | 33300 kr | 35000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 27600 kr | 30800 kr | |
| 25-34 | 30500 kr | 32600 kr | |
| 35-44 | 33700 kr | 35700 kr | |
| 45-54 | 36900 kr | 38500 kr | |
| 55-64 | 34000 kr | 35000 kr | |
| Snitt | 89% | 33300 kr | 35000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 27600 kr | 30800 kr | |
| 25-34 | 30500 kr | 32600 kr | |
| 35-44 | 33700 kr | 35700 kr | |
| 45-54 | 36900 kr | 38500 kr | |
| 55-64 | 34000 kr | 35000 kr | |
| Snitt | 89% | 33300 kr | 35000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 27700 kr | 31000 kr | |
| 25-34 | 31200 kr | 33500 kr | |
| 35-44 | 34600 kr | 36800 kr | |
| 45-54 | 38000 kr | 39400 kr | |
| 55-64 | 34300 kr | 35200 kr | |
| Snitt | 89% | 34100 kr | 35800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 27700 kr | 31000 kr | |
| 25-34 | 31200 kr | 33500 kr | |
| 35-44 | 34600 kr | 36800 kr | |
| 45-54 | 38000 kr | 39400 kr | |
| 55-64 | 34300 kr | 35300 kr | |
| Snitt | 89% | 34100 kr | 35800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 27700 kr | 31000 kr | |
| 25-34 | 31200 kr | 33500 kr | |
| 35-44 | 34600 kr | 36800 kr | |
| 45-54 | 38000 kr | 39400 kr | |
| 55-64 | 34300 kr | 35300 kr | |
| Snitt | 89% | 34100 kr | 35800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 89% | 30100 kr | 32000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 89% | 30100 kr | 32000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 89% | 30100 kr | 32000 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 System operator, printing company has the SSYK code 7322, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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