How much does a Drying technician make

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  2. Drying technician
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Drying technician

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 technician

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

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

A drying technician primarily works with monitoring, controlling, and optimizing drying processes within the wood industry, especially at sawmills, planing mills, and plywood factories. The tasks involve managing and inspecting drying equipment, ensuring that timber is dried to the correct moisture content, and documenting and following up on production data. The work is often carried out in industrial environments where technical equipment and control systems are used, requiring precision and technical understanding. The drying technician often collaborates with other operators and technicians to maintain quality and efficiency in production.

Salary development over time

Salaries for drying technicians have shown a clear upward trend over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 33,600 SEK per month, which increased to 35 000 SEK in 2023. By 2024, the average salary reached 36 800 SEK, representing a salary increase of approximately 9.5% over three years. This positive development can largely be attributed to increased demand for skilled technicians in the wood industry and a greater focus on efficient and sustainable production. Changes in collective agreements and labor market needs have also influenced salary levels. Although the profession is relatively niche, the need for specialized skills has led to stronger salary growth than many other industrial jobs.

Drying technician salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 36 800 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 35,400 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 37,400 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage (average): 221 SEK
  • Women’s average salary: 35,400 SEK/month
  • Men’s average salary: 37 000 SEK/month
  • Women earn: 96% of men’s salary
  • Regional differences: Highest salary in the regional sector, but variations occur

Education and qualifications

The path to becoming a drying technician typically involves completing a high school program in industrial technology or equivalent education with a focus on wood technology. Practical experience from sawmills or the wood industry is often advantageous and sometimes a requirement. For some employers, additional courses in process technology, control systems, or quality assurance may be desirable. Certifications and internal training are common and can be an advantage when applying for jobs.

  • High school education: Industrial technology program, 3 years
  • Vocational courses: Focus on wood technology, process technology
  • Certifications: Occur, often through industry organizations
  • Internship: Common during education
  • Prerequisites: Technical interest, accuracy

Many drying technicians develop a deep understanding of the properties of wood over time and can often determine the correct moisture content by sight and feel alone – a skill highly valued in the industry.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

The most common benefits for drying technicians include collective agreement-based occupational pension, overtime pay, and wellness allowances. Many employers also offer work clothing, subsidized lunches, and opportunities for further training in technology and safety. Shift work may be present, often providing access to additional pay and extra days off.

Competition and challenges

Competition for positions as a drying technician varies depending on the region and the economic situation within the wood industry. Since the profession requires both technical skills and experience in industrial production, it can sometimes be challenging for recent graduates to compete with individuals who have extensive practical experience. Challenges include staying updated with new control system technologies and drying processes, as well as working in environments with high safety and quality standards. Effective collaboration with other roles in production is also important. Digitalization and automation are changing the work content, requiring continuous skills development.

Tips for aspiring drying technicians

To succeed as a drying technician, it is beneficial to combine technical interest with an eye for detail. Being precise is crucial when monitoring processes and ensuring correct drying results. A problem-solving attitude helps quickly address deviations and optimize production. Good communication skills are also important, as the work often involves teamwork where clarity and cooperation are essential for safety. Showing initiative and a willingness to learn new control systems or methods provides good opportunities for career development. Flexibility and the ability to work under varying conditions are additional qualities appreciated by employers.

Key facts about drying technicians

  • Salary range: 35,400–37,400 SEK/month
  • Average salary: 36 800 SEK/month
  • Education level: High school or vocational training
  • Job market: 1,437 available jobs in the profession
  • Typical work environment: Industrial production, shift work may occur

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a drying technician, there are opportunities to advance to supervisory roles, such as operations manager or production manager within sawmills and the wood industry. Further education in process technology or automation can also lead to specialized roles like process engineer or quality manager. The Swedish Employment Service's forecasts do not provide a specific assessment for drying technicians, but within the broader group of “Operators in sawmills, planing mills, and plywood, etc.,” approximately 1,437 job openings are reported, indicating continued demand. Digitalization and increased requirements for sustainable production may lead to new skill requirements and development opportunities for the profession.

Frequently asked questions about drying technicians

  • What is the average salary for a drying technician?
    - The average salary is 36 800 SEK per month.
  • How has the salary development for drying technicians been?
    - The salary has increased from 33,600 SEK in 2022 to 36 800 SEK in 2024, a rise of approximately 9.5%.
  • Are there differences between men's and women's salaries?
    - Yes, women earn an average of 35,400 SEK, which is 96% of men's salaries.
  • What education is required to become a drying technician?
    - High school education in industrial technology or wood technology is most common.
  • How many job openings are available for drying technicians?
    - There are approximately 1,437 available jobs.
  • What is the highest salary for a drying technician?
    - The highest salary is 37,400 SEK and belongs to a man in the regional sector with a high school diploma.
  • What tasks does a drying technician perform?
    - The tasks include monitoring and optimizing the drying processes for timber products.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-06 13:58:38

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Drying technician 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 technician 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 technician has the SSYK code 8173, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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