- Salary statistics
- Timber buyers salary
Timber buyers salary
Latest available salary statistics are for 2025. Compare average pay, salary range and related job listings.
30 600 - 49 100 SEK / month
Women earn 95% of what men do.
Naturbruk
Related tools
Salary progression Timber buyers
What does a Virkesinköpare do? – Tasks and work environment
A Virkesinköpare works with acquiring raw materials, mainly timber, from forest owners for sawmills, pulp industries, or energy companies. The profession involves identifying and contacting forest owners, negotiating deals, establishing contracts, and following up on deliveries. Besides sales and negotiation, advice on forest management and planning harvests are often included. The work is largely field-based, with forest inventories and meetings with landowners as recurring activities, but administrative tasks at an office are also common. Days are characterized by a mix of physical work and social interactions, requiring both forestry knowledge and good communication skills.
Salary development over time
The salary for Virkesinköpare has shown a steady increase over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 40,100 SEK per month, rising to 43 100 SEK in 2023 and further to 44 800 SEK in 2024. This corresponds to a total salary increase of approximately 7.5% over the period. The positive trend can be explained by increased demand for forestry expertise, especially as sustainability and raw material supply become more important in the industry. Salary growth has also been driven by competition for experienced purchasers and higher requirements for specialist knowledge in forest management, logistics, and contract law. Despite some regional and employer variation, the profession has generally strengthened financially, reflecting the central role Virkesinköpare play in the forest industry value chain.
Virkesinköpare salary – complete overview
- Average salary: 44 800 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 27,000 SEK/month (female, private sector, 3-year high school education)
- Highest salary: 48,300 SEK/month (male, public sector, postgraduate degree)
- Hourly wage: 259 SEK/hour
- Gender differences: Men 45 400 SEK, women 43 100 SEK (women earn 95% of men's salary)
- Regional differences: Data varies, but salaries are influenced by labor market conditions and forest access in different parts of the country
Education and qualifications
To work as a Virkesinköpare, a forestry-related university degree is generally required, such as a bachelor's in forestry or a forestry master's degree. Many employers also value practical experience from forestry or sales. In addition to formal education, the ability to build relationships, negotiate, and understand business processes is highly valued. Some employers offer internal trainee programs or introductory courses for new employees.
- Bachelor's degree in forestry: 3 years at university
- Forestry master's degree: 3 years, often at SLU
- Courses in sales and negotiation: Can be advantageous
- Internship/trainee: Common in larger forestry companies
- Prerequisites: Often natural science high school or equivalent
Many Virkesinköpare spend a large part of their workweek in the forest, which means the job often combines business, nature experiences, and physical activity – a rare combination among specialist professions.
Common benefits and compensations
Virkesinköpare are often offered company cars for business trips, wellness allowances, and flexible working hours. Pension schemes and extra vacation days are common among larger employers, along with bonus or commission systems linked to achievement of purchasing targets. Some also include training support and work clothing for fieldwork.
Competition and challenges
Competition for Virkesinköpare positions varies depending on region and economic conditions within the forestry industry. Since the tasks require both technical and social skills, it can be difficult to find candidates with the right combination of education and experience. A challenge in the profession is managing complex negotiations with different types of forest owners while ensuring sustainable business deals. Seasonal variations and weather conditions can affect workload, especially during periods of intensive harvesting or storm damage. The ability to adapt to digital tools and new ways of working is becoming increasingly important as the industry modernizes.
Tips for those wanting to become a Virkesinköpare
To succeed as a Virkesinköpare, it is good to combine business acumen with a genuine interest in forestry and nature. Strong communication skills are essential when negotiating contracts and building long-term relationships with landowners. Independence helps in planning and structuring workdays often spent in the field, while analytical skills assist in valuing forests and planning purchases. Being solution-oriented and flexible is also important, as unexpected situations and quick decisions are part of everyday life. Early internships, networking within the forestry industry, and staying updated on digital tools can give you an edge in the job market.
Key facts about Virkesinköpare
- Educational level: University degree in forestry or equivalent
- Work environment: Combination of fieldwork and office work
- Typical employment: Permanent full-time position
- Demand: Approximately 360 job openings within the profession (2024)
- Special skills: Negotiation, forest management, and business law
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years in the profession, opportunities exist to advance to senior Virkesinköpare, regional manager, or take on leadership roles within purchasing, production, or forest management. Some choose to specialize in consulting, certification issues, or digital forestry services. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service's forecasts, it is difficult to give an exact assessment for Virkesinköpare due to limited data, but overall demand remains stable for specialists and advisors in forestry. The transition towards sustainable raw material supply and digitalization is expected to create new development opportunities, although the economic cycle and access to forest resources can influence recruitment locally.
Frequently asked questions about Virkesinköpare
- What does a Virkesinköpare earn?
- The average salary is 44 800 SEK per month, with variation depending on experience, education, and employer. - What education is required to become a Virkesinköpare?
- Usually, a university degree in forestry or similar is required. - Are there salary differences between men and women?
- Yes, women earn on average 95% of what men do within the profession. - What is the working environment like for a Virkesinköpare?
- The work involves a mix of forest fieldwork and administrative tasks at an office. - What are the biggest challenges in the profession?
- Combining business skills with forestry expertise and managing complex negotiations are central challenges. - What are the future prospects for Virkesinköpare?
- Demand is considered stable but may vary depending on region and economic conditions within the forestry industry. - Are there career opportunities within the profession?
- Yes, there are opportunities to advance to senior roles or leadership positions within purchasing and forest management.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 95% | 38100 kr | 41400 kr |
| 35-44 | 100% | 42600 kr | 46100 kr |
| 45-54 | 105% | 42300 kr | 45100 kr |
| 55-64 | 43700 kr | 46800 kr | |
| Snitt | 95% | 41700 kr | 44800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 92% | 28500 kr | 32300 kr |
| 25-34 | 103% | 33000 kr | 34400 kr |
| 35-44 | 99% | 38000 kr | 39700 kr |
| 45-54 | 102% | 39500 kr | 40300 kr |
| 55-64 | 103% | 42800 kr | 42900 kr |
| 65-68 | 45500 kr | 45600 kr | |
| Snitt | 98% | 38900 kr | 39800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 92% | 28500 kr | 32300 kr |
| 25-34 | 103% | 33000 kr | 34400 kr |
| 35-44 | 99% | 38000 kr | 39700 kr |
| 45-54 | 102% | 39500 kr | 40300 kr |
| 55-64 | 103% | 42800 kr | 42900 kr |
| 65-68 | 45500 kr | 45600 kr | |
| Snitt | 98% | 38900 kr | 39800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 95% | 38700 kr | 42200 kr |
| 35-44 | 101% | 43200 kr | 46900 kr |
| 45-54 | 42800 kr | 46000 kr | |
| 55-64 | 43800 kr | 47600 kr | |
| Snitt | 96% | 42200 kr | 45600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 95% | 38700 kr | 42200 kr |
| 35-44 | 101% | 43200 kr | 46900 kr |
| 45-54 | 42800 kr | 46000 kr | |
| 55-64 | 43800 kr | 47600 kr | |
| Snitt | 96% | 42200 kr | 45600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 95% | 38200 kr | 42200 kr |
| 35-44 | 100% | 42100 kr | 46200 kr |
| 45-54 | 105% | 41700 kr | 44600 kr |
| 55-64 | 44200 kr | 47600 kr | |
| Snitt | 95% | 41900 kr | 45400 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 92% | 27600 kr | 33800 kr |
| 25-34 | 103% | 32000 kr | 33900 kr |
| 35-44 | 99% | 36700 kr | 39900 kr |
| 45-54 | 102% | 38800 kr | 40100 kr |
| 55-64 | 103% | 42600 kr | 42700 kr |
| 65-68 | 46200 kr | 46400 kr | |
| Snitt | 98% | 38800 kr | 40200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 92% | 27600 kr | 33800 kr |
| 25-34 | 103% | 32000 kr | 33900 kr |
| 35-44 | 99% | 36700 kr | 39900 kr |
| 45-54 | 102% | 38800 kr | 40100 kr |
| 55-64 | 103% | 42600 kr | 42700 kr |
| 65-68 | 46200 kr | 46400 kr | |
| Snitt | 98% | 38800 kr | 40200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 95% | 38700 kr | 42900 kr |
| 35-44 | 101% | 42600 kr | 46800 kr |
| 45-54 | 42100 kr | 45200 kr | |
| 55-64 | 44500 kr | 48500 kr | |
| Snitt | 96% | 42300 kr | 46000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 95% | 38700 kr | 42900 kr |
| 35-44 | 101% | 42600 kr | 46800 kr |
| 45-54 | 42100 kr | 45200 kr | |
| 55-64 | 44500 kr | 48500 kr | |
| Snitt | 96% | 42300 kr | 46000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 95% | 38000 kr | 40000 kr |
| 35-44 | 100% | 44000 kr | 46000 kr |
| 45-54 | 105% | 44700 kr | 46900 kr |
| Snitt | 95% | 41100 kr | 43100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 92% | 29200 kr | 31200 kr |
| 25-34 | 103% | 34100 kr | 35000 kr |
| 35-44 | 99% | 39500 kr | 39600 kr |
| 45-54 | 102% | 40600 kr | 40700 kr |
| 55-64 | 103% | 43800 kr | 43800 kr |
| Snitt | 98% | 38900 kr | 39200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 92% | 29200 kr | 31200 kr |
| 25-34 | 103% | 34100 kr | 35000 kr |
| 35-44 | 99% | 39500 kr | 39600 kr |
| 45-54 | 102% | 40600 kr | 40700 kr |
| 55-64 | 103% | 43800 kr | 43800 kr |
| Snitt | 98% | 38900 kr | 39200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 95% | 38500 kr | 40700 kr |
| 35-44 | 101% | 45000 kr | 47400 kr |
| Snitt | 96% | 41700 kr | 44000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 95% | 38500 kr | 40700 kr |
| 35-44 | 101% | 45000 kr | 47400 kr |
| Snitt | 96% | 41700 kr | 44000 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 Timber buyers has the SSYK code 2135, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
-
Manager for Trainee Team in Intra-contracting – Forest Machine Operators
Specialists and advisors in forestry
Tue, 23 Jun 2026 - 21:17 -
Manager for Trainee Program in Forest Machinery (Intracontracting)
Specialists and advisors in forestry
Tue, 23 Jun 2026 - 21:13 -
Manager for Forest Machine Trainee Program
Specialists and advisors in forestry
Tue, 23 Jun 2026 - 20:41 -
Manager for Forestry Machine Trainee Program (Intrapreneurship)
Specialists and advisors in forestry
Tue, 23 Jun 2026 - 20:37 -
Manager for Trainee Program in Forest Machinery
Specialists and advisors in forestry
Tue, 23 Jun 2026 - 20:35
Compare salary, work tasks and job outlook in adjacent occupations to find roles with similar skills or pay levels.
-
Agricultural right-hander, mixed operation salary
Average salary: 28 900 SEK/month • Naturbruk
Plant growers and animal breeders, mixed operations
Compare with Timber buyers
Wed, 24 Jun 2026 - 11:20 -
Average salary: 29 400 SEK/month • Naturbruk
Breeders and caretakers of farm animals
Compare with Timber buyers
Wed, 24 Jun 2026 - 07:43 -
Farmers, livestock farming salary
Average salary: 29 400 SEK/month • Naturbruk
Breeders and caretakers of farm animals
Compare with Timber buyers
Wed, 24 Jun 2026 - 11:05 -
Chipper operator, forestry salary
Average salary: 33 500 SEK/month • Naturbruk
Operators of agricultural and forestry machinery
Compare with Timber buyers
Wed, 24 Jun 2026 - 08:10 -
Operations manager, agriculture, agricultural pets salary
Average salary: 29 400 SEK/month • Naturbruk
Breeders and caretakers of farm animals
Compare with Timber buyers
Wed, 24 Jun 2026 - 09:47 -
Average salary: 44 900 SEK/month • Naturbruk
Specialists and advisors in agriculture etc.
Compare with Timber buyers
Wed, 24 Jun 2026 - 12:10