How much does a Shipyard workers make

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  2. Shipyard workers
Image that illustrates Shipyard workers

Shipyard workers

36 500 kr

Steel construction assemblers and heavy plate workers

35 500 - 36 500 kr / month

Industriell tillverkning

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Shipyard workers

Average salary 36 500 kr
Males 36 600 kr
Females 0 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 2 Vacant jobs ->

What does a shipyard sheet metal worker do? – Tasks and work environment

A shipyard sheet metal worker primarily works with manufacturing, assembly, and repair of metal structures at shipyards. Tasks include processing sheet metal, welding, bending, cutting, and joining steel parts used for building or maintaining ship hulls, decks, and other structures. The work is often performed in large workshops or directly on ships, which can involve noisy, humid, and sometimes cramped conditions. Safety regulations are important, and protective gear such as helmets, hearing protection, and safety glasses are often required.

Salary development over time

The salary for shipyard sheet metal workers has shown steady and positive growth in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 32,800 SEK, which increased to 33 900 SEK in 2023. The latest measured average salary for 2024 is 36 500 SEK per month, representing an increase of about 11.3 % over three years. This salary development reflects increased demand for skilled metal workers in the industry, along with a generational shift as many experienced sheet metal workers retire. The market is also influenced by larger ship projects and investments in Swedish shipbuilding. Despite limited statistics for women in the profession, the overall trend remains upward.

Shipyard sheet metal worker salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 36 500 SEK/month
  • Lowest/Highest salary: Data not available
  • Hourly wage: 219 SEK/hour (based on 166 hours/month)
  • Gender differences: Men: 36 600 SEK/month, women: data not available
  • Regional differences: No specific data available

Education and qualifications

To work as a shipyard sheet metal worker, a vocational upper secondary education in industrial technology is usually required, often with a focus on sheet metal work or welding. Practical skills and on-the-job training are central parts of the education. Further training in welding certification and specialized courses increase employment and development opportunities within the profession.

  • Upper secondary education: Industrial technology program, 3 years
  • Certifications: Welding licenses and safety courses
  • Practical training: On-the-job training often included
  • Prerequisites: Basic eligibility for upper secondary studies
  • Further training: Opportunities for YH (higher vocational education) or specialized courses

Shipyard sheet metal workers often work in teams where collaboration and communication are crucial for completing large ship projects on time. It is not uncommon for the role to involve travel to different yards within or outside the country, providing a varied and dynamic workday.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Typical benefits for shipyard sheet metal workers include collective agreement-based insurances, occupational pension, wellness allowances, and often access to work clothing and protective equipment. Many employers also offer further training and additional pay for unsocial hours and overtime.

Competition and challenges

The labor market for shipyard sheet metal workers is affected by fluctuations in the Swedish shipbuilding industry and global demand for new ships. Technological developments require continuous skills upgrading, especially in advanced welding and new materials. The job is physically demanding, and the work environment can be challenging with high noise levels and heavy lifts. The availability of job openings varies between regions and is influenced by ongoing projects in the shipbuilding sector. An important challenge is also the generational shift, where the need for new workers is high, but the recruitment base is limited.

Tips for those who want to become a shipyard sheet metal worker

To succeed as a shipyard sheet metal worker, it’s good to be precise and have an eye for detail, as small mistakes can affect the entire construction. Good physical endurance and strength facilitate the work, which is often heavy and performed in challenging environments. Being cooperative and communicative is important since the work is almost always done in teams requiring coordination. Flexibility and problem-solving skills are valuable when unexpected challenges arise during projects. It is recommended to take advantage of internship opportunities and actively seek welding certification to increase employability. Being proactive and showing interest in new technology can also open doors to more advanced tasks. For those who thrive in a dynamic industry and are willing to learn new methods, there are good opportunities for development.

Key facts about shipyard sheet metal workers

  • Education level: Upper secondary vocational diploma in industrial technology
  • Work environment: Shipyards, workshops, and onboard ships
  • Work form: Full-time, often in shifts or project-based
  • Demand: 1,437 available jobs within the profession
  • Special skills: Welding and sheet metal processing

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years of experience, a shipyard sheet metal worker can advance to supervisory roles, quality control, or specialize in welding and assembly of advanced ship structures. Opportunities also exist to further train as a production technician or designer within the shipbuilding industry. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service’s forecast, specific assessments for shipyard sheet metal workers are lacking, but the broad profession currently has 1,437 available jobs, indicating good demand. Future prospects are therefore relatively favorable for those with the right skills, although the job market is somewhat influenced by larger industrial projects and economic conditions.

Common questions about shipyard sheet metal workers

  • What does a shipyard sheet metal worker earn?
    - A shipyard sheet metal worker has an average salary of 36 500 SEK per month according to the latest statistics.
  • What education is required to become a shipyard sheet metal worker?
    - Vocational upper secondary education in industrial technology, preferably with a focus on sheet metal work or welding, is most common.
  • What is the work environment like for shipyard sheet metal workers?
    - The work is often carried out at shipyards or onboard ships, in noisy and sometimes cramped conditions requiring protective gear.
  • Are there many job openings for shipyard sheet metal workers?
    - Currently, there are 1,437 available jobs in the profession according to the latest data.
  • What does hourly pay mean for a shipyard sheet metal worker?
    - The hourly wage is approximately 219 SEK, based on an average working month.
  • Can a shipyard sheet metal worker specialize?
    - Yes, further training and certification in welding or supervision are possible paths.
  • What are the future prospects for the profession?
    - Prognoses are lacking, but demand remains stable within the profession and is driven by industry cycles.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-10 21:48:20

Occupation
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
Snitt 35500 kr 36500 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 Shipyard workers has the SSYK code 7215, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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