How much does a Tool designer make

  1. Salary statistics
  2. Tool designer

Tool designer

45 300 kr

Engineers and technicians in mechanical engineering

37 000 - 68 000 kr / month

Women earn 95% of what men do.

Tekniskt arbete

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Tool designer

Average salary 45 300 kr
Males 45 600 kr
Females 43 200 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 206 Vacant jobs ->

What does a tool designer do? – Tasks and work environment

A tool designer is responsible for developing, designing, and improving tools and fixtures used in manufacturing and production processes. Tasks often include creating technical drawings, collaborating with production teams, and ensuring that tools meet technical and economic requirements. The work mainly takes place in an office environment using advanced CAD systems, but also includes regular visits to the workshop to follow up on manufacturing and testing of tools. The role requires great precision, problem-solving skills, and a good understanding of materials and manufacturing technology.

Salary development over time

Tool designers' salaries have shown a steady upward trend over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 41,500 SEK, increasing the following year to 43 700 SEK, which corresponds to an increase of about 5.3%. In 2024, the average salary continued to rise to 45 300 SEK, representing an additional salary increase of approximately 3.7%. This development reflects increased demand for technical expertise in the industry and higher requirements for specialized knowledge and experience. Salary growth can also be explained by industry digitalization and a growing need for automation, making the tool designer's role increasingly important. Despite some gender pay gap, both men and women have seen real income increases in recent years.

Tool designer salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 45 300 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 37,000 SEK/month (female, public sector, high school education)
  • Highest salary: 68,000 SEK/month (female, municipal sector, postgraduate degree)
  • Hourly wage: 272 SEK
  • Gender pay gap: Women earn 95% of what men do (women 43 200 SEK, men 45 600 SEK)
  • Regional differences: Data unavailable, but variations often occur between larger cities and smaller towns

Education and qualifications

To work as a tool designer, a technical education in mechanical engineering, production technology, or similar is usually required. Many employers prefer a university or engineering degree, but there are also opportunities for individuals with technical high school education and relevant experience. Practical experience and skills in CAD programs are often necessary, and further education in manufacturing technology can be advantageous.

  • University engineering degree: 3 years, specialization in mechanical engineering or production technology
  • Technical high school: 3 years, supplemented with work experience
  • CAD and CAM courses: Often require certification in leading programs
  • Internship/Trainee: Practical experience through LIA or trainee programs is common
  • Specialization: Further education in automation, materials science, or design engineering

Many tool designers work closely with product development teams and thus gain insight into the entire chain from idea to finished product. This provides an opportunity to influence both design and quality of the final product – a unique position for those who want to combine creativity with technology.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Benefits for tool designers often include occupational pension, flexible working hours, wellness allowance, and opportunities for skills development. Other common compensations include bonus programs, subsidized lunches, and access to modern technical equipment. Employment in larger companies may also offer favorable insurance options and remote work possibilities.

Competition and challenges

The competition for positions as a tool designer varies depending on region and economic climate, but there is generally steady demand for qualified technicians in the industry. Challenges in the profession often involve keeping up with technological developments and quickly adapting to new production methods and digital tools. Since the role requires both technical expertise and collaboration skills, complex projects and tight deadlines can create pressure. Additionally, high demands are placed on accuracy and creative problem-solving when developing efficient and sustainable tool solutions.

Tips for aspiring tool designers

To succeed as a tool designer, it is good to combine technical interest with an analytical mindset. Early specialization in CAD tools and production technology is recommended, along with seeking internships that provide insight into manufacturing processes. Curiosity about new materials and methods helps stay ahead in development, while good communication skills facilitate collaboration with other departments. Being meticulous and organized is crucial when developing complex solutions under time pressure. Finally, having a problem-solving attitude is valuable, as unexpected challenges often arise during different project phases.

Key facts about tool designers

  • Salary range: 37,000–68,000 SEK/month
  • Education level: University engineering or technical high school
  • Work environment: Office-based, often with regular workshop visits
  • Demand: 564 job openings in spring 2024
  • Gender pay gap: Women earn 95% of what men do

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years of experience, a tool designer can advance to leadership roles such as project manager, technical specialist, or development engineer within the manufacturing and production industry. Opportunities also exist to work as a consultant or specialize in areas like automation, simulation, or advanced materials technology. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, it is difficult to precisely predict future prospects for the profession, but there is generally good demand for engineers and technicians in mechanical engineering. In spring 2024, 564 job openings were available, indicating a relatively strong job market. Digitalization and increased demands for efficient production are likely to further strengthen the profession's relevance in the future.

Frequently asked questions about tool designers

  • What is the average salary of a tool designer?
    - The average salary for a tool designer is 45 300 SEK/month.
  • What is required to become a tool designer?
    - Most commonly, a university engineering degree in mechanical engineering or similar, but also high school engineers with experience can be relevant.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn on average 95% of what men do within the profession.
  • What is the state of the job market?
    - There is stable demand, and in spring 2024, 564 job openings were advertised within the profession.
  • What are the tasks of a tool designer?
    - Tasks include designing, developing, and improving tools for production, as well as technical documentation and collaboration with production teams.
  • How does salary development look?
    - Over the past three years, salaries have increased from 41,500 SEK to 45 300 SEK on average.
  • What are the highest and lowest salaries for the profession?
    - The highest salary is 68,000 SEK and the lowest is 37,000 SEK.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-08 12:52:10

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Tool designer is 68000 kr. This salary belongs to a woman working in the Municipal sector with a postgraduate education. The highest salary for a man in this profession is 50500 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Tool designer is 37000 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Public sector. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 39900 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 100% 33500 kr 34400 kr
25-34 98% 40200 kr 40900 kr
35-44 102% 43600 kr 45000 kr
45-54 95% 48200 kr 49400 kr
55-64 93% 44900 kr 46300 kr
65-68 48200 kr 49400 kr
Snitt 95% 44100 kr 45300 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 Tool designer has the SSYK code 3114, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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