- Salary statistics
- Heat treatment
Heat treatment
38 100 - 41 000 kr / month
Women earn 99% of what men do.
Industriell tillverkning
Salary progression Heat treatment
What does a heat treater do? – Tasks and work environment
A heat treater works with altering the properties of metals through controlled heating and cooling. Processes may include hardening, tempering, and annealing, aiming to achieve desired hardness, toughness, or ductility in the material. The work is often carried out in industrial environments, such as steel and metal plants, where advanced furnaces and cooling systems are used. Heat treaters also monitor processes, perform quality control, and document to ensure products meet technical requirements and standards. The work environment is characterized by proximity to heavy machinery, high temperatures, and demands for precision and safety.
Salary development over time
The salary for heat treaters has steadily increased in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 36,300 SEK per month, rising to 36 900 SEK during 2023. In 2024, the average salary has increased further to 39 800 SEK, representing an increase of over 9.6% over three years. This positive trend can be linked to increased demand for skilled labor in the industry, where technical knowledge and specialist skills are becoming increasingly important. The job market is also influenced by technological developments and higher demands for product quality, making the profession’s skill profile more attractive. Salary development can also be explained by regional differences and competition for experienced operators, especially in larger industrial regions.
Heat treater salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 39 800 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 38,100 SEK/month (woman, pre-secondary education)
- Highest salary: 41,000 SEK/month (woman, secondary education, regional sector)
- Hourly wage (average): 239 SEK
- Gender differences: Women earn 39 500 SEK, men 39900 SEK – women earn 99% of men's salaries
- Regional differences: Highest salaries are found within regional sectors
Education and qualifications
The path to becoming a heat treater typically involves a high school education within the industrial program with specialization in materials technology or production. Practical experience is highly valuable and often a requirement, as the work involves handling advanced machinery and processes. Further training, certifications, and specialized courses can provide advantages in the job market and enable specialization in various types of heat treatment.
- High school education: Industrial technical program (3 years)
- Certifications: Courses in heat treatment and materials science
- Practical experience: Apprenticeship or internship during studies
- Prerequisites: Basic mathematics and technology skills
- Further education: Opportunities for internal and external courses and certifications
Heat treaters often work in teams where collaboration between different professions is crucial for the final result. Many workplaces value initiative and the ability to quickly solve technical problems, making the profession attractive to those who enjoy challenges and development.
Common benefits and compensations
Heat treaters can often expect benefits such as shift allowances, overtime pay, extra vacation during shift work, and wellness contributions. Many employers also offer training opportunities, work clothing, and sometimes bonuses linked to production goals or safety work.
Competition and challenges
Competition for positions as a heat treater varies depending on the region and economic climate. Since the profession requires specialized skills and experience, it can be challenging for recent graduates to secure permanent positions immediately. Technological development imposes higher demands for understanding automated processes and quality control, requiring continuous skills development. The physical work environment with high temperatures and heavy lifts can also be demanding, so employers often prioritize candidates with good physical fitness and safety awareness. To stand out, not only the right education but also an interest in technology and process industries are necessary.
Tips for those wanting to become a heat treater
To succeed as a heat treater, it is beneficial to combine technical interest with accuracy and a sense of responsibility. Being solution-oriented helps when unexpected problems arise, and a willingness to learn new techniques increases employability. Good teamwork skills are important since the work is often done in teams, and safety awareness is crucial given the work environment. Engagement in education and internships provides valuable experience, while patience and perseverance facilitate long or uncomfortable shifts. Seeking workplaces with internal training programs can also pave the way for career development within the profession.
Key facts about heat treaters
- Educational level: High school diploma, often industrial technical program
- Work environment: Industrial, often shift work and high temperatures
- Typical employment: Full-time, sometimes shift or night work
- Demand: 1,437 available jobs within the profession right now
- Gender distribution: Small salary differences, women earn 99% of men's salaries
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years of experience, a heat treater can advance to more senior roles, such as process manager, supervisor, or technical specialist in materials technology. There are also opportunities for further education in automation or quality control. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, there is no precise forecast for heat treaters due to limited data, but within the machine and process operators at steel and metal plants, 1,437 available jobs are reported, indicating ongoing demand for the skill. Future prospects are mainly influenced by economic conditions and technological developments within Swedish industry.
Frequently asked questions about heat treaters
- What does a heat treater earn?
- A heat treater has an average salary of 39 800 SEK per month. - Are there salary differences between men and women?
- Yes, men earn on average 39900 SEK and women 39 500 SEK per month, which means women earn 99% of men's salaries. - What education is required to become a heat treater?
- Industrial technical program at high school and practical experience or apprenticeship are recommended. - What is the job market like for heat treaters?
- There are 1,437 available jobs within the profession, indicating strong demand. - What are the highest and lowest salaries for a heat treater?
- The highest salary is 41,000 SEK and the lowest 38,100 SEK per month. - What personal qualities are important in the profession?
- Precision, responsibility, and technical interest are especially important for heat treaters.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 99% | 30500 kr | 35300 kr |
| 25-34 | 100% | 33900 kr | 39100 kr |
| 35-44 | 101% | 34900 kr | 40100 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 36200 kr | 41100 kr |
| 55-64 | 100% | 36300 kr | 40700 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 34900 kr | 39800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 99% | 30500 kr | 35300 kr |
| 25-34 | 100% | 33900 kr | 39100 kr |
| 35-44 | 101% | 34900 kr | 40100 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 36200 kr | 41100 kr |
| 55-64 | 100% | 36300 kr | 40700 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 34900 kr | 39800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 99% | 30500 kr | 35300 kr |
| 25-34 | 100% | 33900 kr | 39100 kr |
| 35-44 | 101% | 34900 kr | 40100 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 36200 kr | 41100 kr |
| 55-64 | 100% | 36300 kr | 40700 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 34900 kr | 39800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 99% | 30500 kr | 35300 kr |
| 25-34 | 100% | 33900 kr | 39100 kr |
| 35-44 | 101% | 34900 kr | 40000 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 36300 kr | 41200 kr |
| 55-64 | 100% | 36300 kr | 40800 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 35000 kr | 39900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 99% | 30500 kr | 35300 kr |
| 25-34 | 100% | 33900 kr | 39100 kr |
| 35-44 | 101% | 34900 kr | 40000 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 36300 kr | 41200 kr |
| 55-64 | 100% | 36300 kr | 40800 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 35000 kr | 39900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 99% | 30500 kr | 35300 kr |
| 25-34 | 100% | 33900 kr | 39100 kr |
| 35-44 | 101% | 34900 kr | 40000 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 36300 kr | 41200 kr |
| 55-64 | 100% | 36300 kr | 40800 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 35000 kr | 39900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 99% | 30100 kr | 35100 kr |
| 25-34 | 100% | 34200 kr | 39200 kr |
| 35-44 | 101% | 35000 kr | 40400 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 35800 kr | 40400 kr |
| 55-64 | 100% | 36200 kr | 40600 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 34700 kr | 39500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 99% | 30100 kr | 35100 kr |
| 25-34 | 100% | 34200 kr | 39200 kr |
| 35-44 | 101% | 35000 kr | 40400 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 35800 kr | 40400 kr |
| 55-64 | 100% | 36200 kr | 40600 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 34700 kr | 39500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 99% | 30100 kr | 35100 kr |
| 25-34 | 100% | 34200 kr | 39200 kr |
| 35-44 | 101% | 35000 kr | 40400 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 35800 kr | 40400 kr |
| 55-64 | 100% | 36200 kr | 40600 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 34700 kr | 39500 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 Heat treatment has the SSYK code 8129, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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