How much does a Drying operator make

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  2. Drying operator
Image that illustrates Drying operator

Drying operator

36 800 kr

Operators in sawmills, planing mills and plywood etc.

35 400 - 37 400 kr / month

Women earn 96% of what men do.

Industriell tillverkning

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Drying operator

Average salary 36 800 kr
Males 37 000 kr
Females 35 400 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 3 Vacant jobs ->

What does a drying operator do? – Tasks and work environment

A drying operator primarily works within the wood industry, where the role involves monitoring and controlling drying facilities for timber products. Tasks include starting, inspecting, and adjusting the drying processes, often using advanced control systems and instruments. Continuous monitoring of temperature, humidity, and other parameters is crucial to ensure consistent and quality results. Drying operators usually work in industrial environments, often in shifts, and need to follow strict safety procedures to handle machinery and work environment risks.

Salary development over time

Over the past three years, the salary of a drying operator has shown a clear upward trend. In 2022, the average salary was 33,600 SEK per month, which increased to 35 000 SEK in 2023 and further to the current level of 36 800 SEK in 2024. This development represents a total increase of approximately 9.5% over three years. Factors driving the salary growth include increased demand for skilled labor in the wood industry and a greater focus on technical competence. Inflation and the general development of the labor market have also positively impacted salary levels. The gender pay gap persists, with women earning slightly less on average than men.

Drying operator salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 36 800 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 35,400 SEK/month (woman), 36,600 SEK/month (man)
  • Highest salary: 36,700 SEK/month (woman), 37,400 SEK/month (man)
  • Hourly wage (average): 221 SEK
  • Gender difference: Women earn 96% of what men do
  • Regional differences: Highest salaries are found in the regional sector

Education and qualifications

The path to becoming a drying operator usually involves a high school education in wood technology, industry, or a similar technical program. Many employers also require practical experience from the wood industry and knowledge of process control. Further training and internal courses are common, especially for handling modern control systems and safety requirements.

  • High school education: Wood technology or industry, 2–3 years
  • Vocational courses/certification: Focused on sawmills or the wood industry
  • Internship: Often offered through internships or trainee programs
  • Prerequisites: Technical interest and basic mathematics
  • Internal learning: Supervision and further training on the workplace

Many drying operators develop a deep understanding of wood properties over time, enabling them to optimize drying processes for different types of timber. This specialist knowledge makes the role especially valuable in quality-focused production and often allows direct influence on the production outcome.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensation

In addition to the base salary, shift allowances, overtime pay, wellness contributions, and work clothing are often provided. Some employers also have bonus systems linked to production efficiency and safety, as well as opportunities for further training and skill development within the company.

Competition and challenges

Competition for drying operator positions varies between regions and companies. The industry is characterized by a continuous need for technically skilled operators, but the number of available positions can be influenced by economic cycles and investments in the wood sector. Challenges in the profession include managing complex control systems, working shifts, and maintaining high safety standards in sometimes noisy and dusty environments. Digitalization increases the demand for IT skills, which affects the requirements for both new and existing employees.

Tips for those who want to become a drying operator

To succeed as a drying operator, it’s beneficial to have a technical interest and the ability to quickly learn new systems. Precision is crucial, as small errors in the drying process can have significant consequences for the final product, so it’s important to always follow routines and check measurement data. Good teamwork skills facilitate work, as communication with other operators and maintenance staff is often necessary to solve problems quickly. Flexibility is also an asset, given that shift work is common and tasks can vary over time. Finally, being solution-oriented is advantageous, as unexpected situations in production require initiative and a methodical approach.

Key facts about Drying Operator

  • Average salary: 36 800 SEK/month
  • Education: High school diploma in wood technology or industry
  • Work environment: Industrial, often shift work
  • Gender pay gap: Women earn 96% of men's salary
  • Available jobs in the profession: 1,437 (May 2024)

Career paths and future prospects

After a few years of experience, a drying operator can advance to roles such as shift supervisor, process manager, or production technician within the wood industry. Opportunities for further education in process technology and automation can lead to more specialized positions. Forecasts from the Employment Service indicate that demand for operators in sawmills and the wood industry remains relatively stable, though precise assessments are limited due to small data samples. Technological developments in the industry are expected to increase the need for skills in control systems and digitalization, providing good opportunities for those committed to developing their careers in this field.

Frequently asked questions about Drying Operator

  • What does a drying operator earn?
    - The average salary is 36 800 SEK per month, with variations depending on experience, gender, and region.
  • What education is required to become a drying operator?
    - A high school education in wood technology or industry is most common, often supplemented with internal training.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn on average 96% of what men do within the profession.
  • What is the work environment like for a drying operator?
    - The work environment is industrial and may involve shift work, noise, and dust.
  • What career paths are available?
    - Drying operators can advance to shift supervisor, process manager, or technical specialist.
  • What are the future prospects?
    - Demand is stable according to the Employment Service, but exact forecasts are limited for the profession.
  • How many job openings are there?
    - There are 1,437 available jobs (May 2024).

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-08 07:42:11

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Drying operator is 37400 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Regional sector with a upper secondary education, maximum 2 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 36700 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Drying operator is 35400 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 36600 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 99% 31000 kr 36300 kr
25-34 95% 32300 kr 36900 kr
35-44 96% 32400 kr 36400 kr
45-54 93% 32700 kr 37000 kr
55-64 97% 32900 kr 37200 kr
Snitt 96% 32400 kr 36800 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 Drying operator has the SSYK code 8173, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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