What does a leather goods cutter earn?

The average salary is 30,400 SEK per month, with a range between 29,400 and 32,200 SEK depending on experience, employer, and gender.

What are the gender differences in salaries for leather goods cutters?

Men earn an average of 31,200 SEK, women 29,700 SEK, which means women earn 95% of men's salaries.

What education is required to become a leather goods cutter?

High school education with a focus on crafts, often supplemented with specialized courses or apprenticeships, is most common.

Are there many jobs for leather goods cutters?

There are 1,437 available jobs in the profession according to the latest available data.

What is the work environment like for leather goods cutters?

Work is often performed in small workshops or industrial environments, involving repetitive movements and demands for accuracy.

What are the most common benefits for leather goods cutters?

Collective agreements, occupational pension, sick pay, holiday pay, and sometimes wellness allowances are common.

What are the future prospects for the profession?

The Employment Service does not make a specific assessment, but there is demand for skilled craftsmen in niche segments.

Cutters, leather goods salary

32 200 SEK

Other machine operators, textile, leather and leather industry

Latest available salary statistics are for 2025. Compare average pay, salary range and related job listings.

31 300 - 34 400 SEK / month

Women earn 94% of what men do.

Industriell tillverkning

Average salary 32 200 SEK/month Monthly gross salary

Salary range 31 300 - 34 400 SEK Latest available range Data year 2025 Latest published dataset

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Salary trend About the role What does a leather goods cutter do? – Tasks and work environment Salary development over time Leather goods cutter salary – complete overview Open jobs Related occupations About the data FAQ

Salary progression Cutters, leather goods

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What does a leather goods cutter do? – Tasks and work environment

A leather goods cutter works with cutting patterns and shapes from leather material, which are later used for manufacturing shoes, bags, and other leather products. The tasks often include interpreting drawings, planning material usage, and using various cutting tools, both manual and machine-based. The work environment varies between small artisan workshops and larger industrial settings, but common to all is that the work requires accuracy, precision, and good material knowledge. Heavy lifting, repetitive movements, and working in environments with noise and dust may occur, demanding physical endurance and good occupational health awareness.

Salary development over time

Over the past three years, salaries for leather goods cutters have steadily increased. In 2022, the average salary was 27,700 SEK per month, followed by an increase to 30 400 SEK in 2023. The latest data from 2024 shows a further rise to 32 200 SEK, representing a total salary increase of approximately 9.7% over the period. This trend can be linked to increased demand for specialized craftsmanship, some skill shortages, and general cost increases within the industry. Despite the positive development, the salary level remains somewhat below the industry average, reflecting the traditional nature of the profession and competition from automation and cheaper overseas production.

Many leather goods cutters develop a unique feel for the material's properties over time, which makes their craftsmanship especially appreciated in exclusive or custom-made products. This professional skill is difficult to replace with machines and instills a particular pride in the profession.

– statsskuld.se

Leather goods cutter salary – complete overview

Average salary: 32 200 SEK/month
Lowest salary: 29,400 SEK/month (female, private sector employee, high school education 3 years)
Highest salary: 32,200 SEK/month (male, regional sector, high school education up to 2 years)
Hourly wage: 183 SEK/hour
Gender differences: Men 33 200 SEK, women 31 300 SEK (women earn 94% of men's salary)
Regional differences: Not available

Education and qualifications

To work as a leather goods cutter, a high school education with a focus on textiles, fashion, or crafts is usually required, sometimes supplemented with specialized courses in leather craftsmanship. Employers often value practical experience, as the profession relies on both technique and a feel for the material. It is also possible to learn the profession through apprenticeships or on-the-job training.

High school education: Craftsmanship program with a focus on textiles/leather (3 years)
Specialized courses: Courses in leather craftsmanship or cutting
Internship: Internships or apprenticeships provide valuable experience
Prerequisites: Precision, material knowledge, and good vision
Further training opportunities: Via vocational colleges or workplace-based courses

Common benefits and compensations

Leather goods cutters often are covered by collective agreements, providing access to occupational pensions, sick pay, and holiday pay. In some cases, wellness allowances, work clothing, and opportunities for skills development are offered. Employers in the public or regional sectors may also offer extra vacation days and favorable insurance schemes.

Competition and challenges

The profession of leather goods cutters faces competition from automation and cheaper production in low-cost countries. At the same time, there is steady demand for skilled craftsmen within niche and quality-focused businesses, especially where custom orders and small series are involved. Challenges include keeping up with new materials and techniques, working ergonomically to avoid strain injuries, and the small size of many workplaces requiring flexibility and initiative in the entire manufacturing process. Despite a relatively small workforce, competition for certain positions can be high, especially in attractive segments.

Tips for aspiring leather goods cutters

To succeed as a leather goods cutter, attention to detail is crucial, as precision in cutting determines the final quality. Patience and endurance help with monotonous tasks and large series, while creativity and a sense of form facilitate work on custom orders. Flexibility and willingness to learn new techniques are also advantageous, given the ongoing development of materials and tools. Good teamwork skills are important, especially in smaller teams, and taking responsibility allows for initiative in production. Actively seeking internships or trainee positions provides valuable experience and increases chances of employment in the industry.

Key facts about leather goods cutters

Average salary: 32 200 SEK/month
Salary range: 29,400–32,200 SEK/month
Gender difference: Women earn 94% of men's salary
Education requirement: High school education, often with a crafts focus
Job market: 1,437 available jobs in the profession

Career paths and future outlook

After three to five years of experience, a leather goods cutter can advance to more specialized roles, such as team leader for a small group or technical supervisor of the cutting process. Some choose to start their own business offering custom leather products or work in product development within design companies. The forecasts from the Employment Service show no precise assessment due to limited data, but the profession is related to machine operators in the textile, leather, and fur industry, which recently had 1,437 available jobs. This indicates a relatively stable labor market, especially for those with specialized skills or experience in craftsmanship. Future prospects are affected by automation and global competition, but niche and qualified craftsmen have good opportunities going forward.

Frequently asked questions about leather goods cutters

What does a leather goods cutter earn?
- The average salary is 32 200 SEK per month, ranging from 29,400 to 32,200 SEK depending on experience, employer, and gender.
What are the gender differences in salaries for leather goods cutters?
- Men earn an average of 33 200 SEK, women 31 300 SEK, which means women earn 94% of men's salaries.
What education is required to become a leather goods cutter?
- High school education with a crafts focus, often supplemented with specialized courses or internships, is most common.
Are there many jobs for leather goods cutters?
- There are 1,437 available jobs according to the latest data.
What is the work environment like for leather goods cutters?
- Work is often performed in small workshops or industrial environments, involving repetitive movements and accuracy demands.
What are the most common benefits for leather goods cutters?
- Collective agreements, occupational pensions, sick pay, holiday pay, and sometimes wellness allowances are common.
What are the future prospects for the profession?
- The Employment Service does not make a specific assessment, but demand exists for skilled craftsmen within niche segments.

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-08 07:21:22

Occupation

Salary distributed by age and sector

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
25-34		29100 kr	31500 kr
35-44	95%	29900 kr	31800 kr
45-54	92%	30900 kr	32600 kr
55-64	93%	31200 kr	33000 kr
Snitt	94%	30300 kr	32200 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
25-34		29100 kr	31500 kr
35-44	95%	29900 kr	31800 kr
45-54	92%	30900 kr	32600 kr
55-64	93%	31200 kr	33000 kr
Snitt	94%	30300 kr	32200 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
25-34		29100 kr	31500 kr
35-44	95%	29900 kr	31800 kr
45-54	92%	30900 kr	32600 kr
55-64	93%	31200 kr	33000 kr
Snitt	94%	30300 kr	32200 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
25-34		29600 kr	32500 kr
35-44	95%	29800 kr	32500 kr
45-54	92%	31800 kr	34000 kr
55-64	93%	31700 kr	34500 kr
Snitt	94%	30500 kr	33200 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
25-34		29600 kr	32500 kr
35-44	95%	29800 kr	32500 kr
45-54	92%	31800 kr	34000 kr
55-64	93%	31700 kr	34500 kr
Snitt	94%	30500 kr	33200 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
25-34		29600 kr	32500 kr
35-44	95%	29800 kr	32500 kr
45-54	92%	31800 kr	34000 kr
55-64	93%	31700 kr	34500 kr
Snitt	94%	30500 kr	33200 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
35-44	95%	30000 kr	30900 kr
45-54	92%	30200 kr	31400 kr
55-64	93%	30900 kr	32000 kr
Snitt	94%	30000 kr	31300 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
35-44	95%	30000 kr	30900 kr
45-54	92%	30200 kr	31400 kr
55-64	93%	30900 kr	32000 kr
Snitt	94%	30000 kr	31300 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
35-44	95%	30000 kr	30900 kr
45-54	92%	30200 kr	31400 kr
55-64	93%	30900 kr	32000 kr
Snitt	94%	30000 kr	31300 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 Cutters, leather goods has the SSYK code 8159, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.