What does a furnace operator earn in a steelworks?

The average salary is 39,700 SEK per month, with men earning an average of 39,900 SEK and women 38,000 SEK.

How has the salary development looked for furnace operators in steelworks?

The salary has increased from 36,400 SEK to 39,700 SEK over three years, which corresponds to approximately 9% growth.

What education is required to become a furnace operator in a steelworks?

Secondary industrial technical education, often supplemented with internships or internal training programs.

Are there differences between men's and women's salaries?

Yes, women earn about 95% of men's salaries in the profession.

What is the working environment like for a furnace operator?

The working environment is often noisy and hot, with shift work and safety awareness requirements.

What career opportunities are available for furnace operators?

Opportunities include supervisory roles, specialization within processes, or further training in technology and production.

Oven attendant, steelworks salary

Q: How many job openings are available in the profession?

There are 481 job openings for process operators in metal production.

39 300 SEK

Process supervisors, metal production

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

37 900 - 40 900 SEK / month

Women earn 96% of what men do.

Installation & drift/underhåll

Average salary 39 300 SEK/month Monthly gross salary

Salary range 37 900 - 40 900 SEK Latest available range Data year 2025 Latest published dataset

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Salary trend About the role What does a furnace operator in a steelworks do? – Tasks and work environment Salary development over time Furnace operator, steelworks salary – comprehensive overview Open jobs Related occupations About the data FAQ

Salary progression Oven attendant, steelworks

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What does a furnace operator in a steelworks do? – Tasks and work environment

A furnace operator in a steelworks is responsible for monitoring and regulating the operation of melting furnaces where metal is produced or processed. Tasks include controlling temperatures, adding raw materials, overseeing the melting process, and ensuring production meets quality and safety standards. The work environment is often characterized by high temperatures, noise, and heavy lifting, requiring precision and safety awareness. The work is often performed in shifts, and collaboration with other roles within the steelworks is common to ensure an efficient production flow.

Salary development over time

The salary for a furnace operator in a steelworks has shown a clear upward trend over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 36,400 SEK per month, increasing to 39 700 SEK in 2023. In 2024, the average salary reached 39 300 SEK, representing a total salary increase of approximately 9% during the period. This development reflects both the labor market demand for skilled personnel and increased requirements for technical competence in the industry. The salary increase can also be linked to inflation and employers' need to retain experienced staff in a competitive sector. Despite the salary increases, there are still some gender differences and variations depending on region and experience.

Furnace operator, steelworks salary – comprehensive overview

Average salary: 39 300 SEK/month
Lowest salary: 38,000 SEK/month
Highest salary: 40,200 SEK/month
Hourly wage: 239 SEK
Women: 38,000 SEK (96% of men's salary)
Men: 39 500 SEK
Regional differences: Highest salaries are found within the regional sector

Education and qualifications

The path to becoming a furnace operator in a steelworks often goes through secondary technical education or equivalent technical training with a focus on metal production. Practical experience is highly valuable, and many employers also require internal training or introductory programs. Industry-specific certifications and knowledge of safety regulations are advantageous, as is the ability to handle advanced technical equipment.

Secondary education: Industrial technical program, 3 years
Internal courses/certifications: Safety, machinery handling
Internship: Apprenticeship or trainee positions are recommended
Prerequisites: Technical interest, basic mathematics and physics
Tips: Choose a program with a focus on metallurgy or process technology for the best prospects

Many furnace operators quickly develop a tactile sense of when the process in the furnace is optimal, and this craftsmanship is often highly valued by employers. Those who enjoy problem-solving and quick decision-making may find an engaging career in this role.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Furnace operators in steelworks are often offered benefits such as shift allowances, overtime pay, and opportunities for overtime compensation. Other common benefits include wellness allowances, work clothing, and sometimes subsidized meals. Some employers also provide training initiatives and opportunities for skills development within the company.

Competition and challenges

The job market for furnace operators in steelworks is characterized by a limited number of positions, but there is a stable demand for qualified personnel in the field. Despite currently having 481 job openings for process operators in metal production, there is some uncertainty about long-term prospects due to technological development and efficiency improvements. The work environment is demanding and requires high safety standards, which can be challenging for newcomers. Additionally, shift work and physically demanding tasks may affect work-life balance. At the same time, the profession offers opportunities for specialization and further education for those wishing to advance within the industry.

Tips for those who want to become a furnace operator in a steelworks

To succeed as a furnace operator in a steelworks, it is important to be meticulous and safety-conscious, as the work often takes place in challenging environments. Having a technical interest facilitates daily tasks, especially when it comes to understanding and handling advanced equipment. Good teamwork skills are essential since the work is performed in teams and requires clear communication with colleagues. Flexibility and problem-solving skills are also valued, as production sometimes requires quick decisions. Patience and perseverance are helpful during monotonous or physically demanding tasks. Continuously seeking to learn new things and staying updated on safety routines and technology improves the chances of development and satisfaction in the profession.

Key facts about Furnace operators in steelworks

Salary range: 38,000–40,200 SEK/month
Average salary: 39 300 SEK/month
Education level: Secondary industrial technical education
Work environment: Shift work, high heat, noise
Job openings: 481 in the profession

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a furnace operator in a steelworks, opportunities for further development within process monitoring, supervisory roles, or specialization in metallurgy may open up. Some choose to further their education in automation, production technology, or process development to take on more qualified roles. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service's forecasts, no specific assessment is made for this profession due to limited data, but there is currently stable demand with 481 job openings. In the long term, technological development and automation could influence demand, but the need for experienced operators and process experts is expected to remain within the Swedish steel industry.

Frequently asked questions about Furnace operators in steelworks

What does a furnace operator in a steelworks earn?
- The average is 39 300 SEK per month, with men earning an average of 39 500 SEK and women 38,000 SEK.
How has the salary development looked for furnace operators in steelworks?
- Salaries have increased from 36,400 SEK to 39 300 SEK over three years, which is about a 9% increase.
What education is required to become a furnace operator in a steelworks?
- Secondary industrial technical education, often supplemented with internships or internal training programs.
Are there differences between men's and women's salaries?
- Yes, women earn approximately 96% of men's salaries within the profession.
What is the work environment like for a furnace operator?
- The work environment is often noisy and hot, with shift work and safety awareness requirements.
How many job openings are there in the profession?
- There are 481 job openings for process operators in metal production.
What career opportunities are there for furnace operators?
- Opportunities include supervisory roles, specialization within processes, or further education in technology and production.

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-08 09:38:01

Occupation

Salary distributed by age and sector

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
18-24		31700 kr	36900 kr
25-34		33100 kr	38000 kr
35-44		35200 kr	40700 kr
45-54		35300 kr	40500 kr
55-64		35600 kr	39800 kr
Snitt	96%	34400 kr	39300 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
18-24		31700 kr	36900 kr
25-34		33100 kr	38000 kr
35-44		35200 kr	40700 kr
45-54		35300 kr	40500 kr
55-64		35600 kr	39800 kr
Snitt	96%	34400 kr	39300 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
18-24		31700 kr	36900 kr
25-34		33100 kr	38000 kr
35-44		35200 kr	40700 kr
45-54		35300 kr	40500 kr
55-64		35600 kr	39800 kr
Snitt	96%	34400 kr	39300 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
18-24		31600 kr	36700 kr
25-34		33200 kr	38100 kr
35-44		35500 kr	41000 kr
45-54		35700 kr	41200 kr
55-64		35600 kr	39800 kr
Snitt	96%	34500 kr	39500 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
18-24		31600 kr	36700 kr
25-34		33200 kr	38100 kr
35-44		35500 kr	41000 kr
45-54		35700 kr	41200 kr
55-64		35600 kr	39800 kr
Snitt	96%	34500 kr	39500 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
18-24		31600 kr	36700 kr
25-34		33200 kr	38100 kr
35-44		35500 kr	41000 kr
45-54		35700 kr	41200 kr
55-64		35600 kr	39800 kr
Snitt	96%	34500 kr	39500 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
Snitt	96%	33400 kr	38100 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
Snitt	96%	33400 kr	38100 kr

Age	Women's salary as a percentage of men's	Base salary	Monthly salary
Snitt	96%	33400 kr	38100 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 Oven attendant, steelworks has the SSYK code 8193, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.