Image that illustrates Animal breeders, poultry

Animal breeders, poultry

28 400 kr

Breeders and caretakers of farm animals

27 000 - 32 500 kr / month

Women earn 94% of what men do.

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What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Animal breeders, poultry

Average salary 28 400 kr
Males 29 700 kr
Females 27 800 kr

What does a poultry breeder do? – Tasks and work environment

A poultry breeder is responsible for raising and caring for birds such as chickens, turkeys, geese, or ducks to produce eggs, meat, or breeding stock. The work includes daily care such as feeding, supervision, cleaning of stalls, and monitoring animal health. The breeder also handles incubation processes, vaccinations, and documentation of growth and welfare. The work environment is often physically demanding, involving work in barn conditions where hygiene, animal welfare, and disease control are prioritized. The work can be independent or team-based, and the workday may vary depending on the season and production focus.

Salary development over time

The salary for poultry breeders has shown steady growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 27,200 SEK per month, while in 2023 it increased to 28 400 SEK and has remained stable since then, including in 2024. This corresponds to an increase of approximately 4.4% between 2022 and 2023, but the salary has since stabilized. This growth can partly be explained by increased demand for skilled labor in the agricultural sector and a focus on animal welfare, which requires more specialized skills. However, salary growth has plateaued, likely due to the dominance of smaller employers and the absence of large salary increases caused by competition and industry margins.

Poultry breeder salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 28 400 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 27,000 SEK/month (woman, private sector, high school education 3 years)
  • Highest salary: 32,500 SEK/month (woman, public sector, high school education up to 2 years)
  • Hourly wage: 171 SEK (based on 166 working hours/month)
  • Gender differences: Men 29,700 SEK, women 27 800 SEK (women earn 94% of men's salary)
  • Regional differences: Salary variations may occur depending on region and employer

Education and qualifications

The path to becoming a poultry breeder usually involves high school programs in natural resource management with specialization in animals or agriculture. Practical experience is highly valued, and many employers prefer new hires to have completed internships or trainee periods on farms. Advanced courses in animal husbandry, hygiene, and disease control can be advantageous, and there are opportunities for further education and certification through industry organizations.

  • High school education: Natural resource programs, 3 years
  • Industry-specific courses: Animal husbandry, hygiene, disease control
  • Internships: Work-based learning or trainee periods on farms
  • Certifications: Opportunities for further training via industry organizations
  • Prerequisites: Often require a driver's license and interest in animals

Many poultry breeders run small family businesses where generational transition and innovation in production methods are common. Technological development affects the profession quickly, for example through automation of feeding and health monitoring.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Poultry breeders often receive benefits such as work clothing, wellness contributions, and sometimes subsidized meals. Some employers may also offer housing on the farm or opportunities for further training in animal husbandry and agriculture. Compensation for unsociable hours and overtime may occur depending on the employer.

Competition and challenges

The competition for positions as a poultry breeder is moderate, but recruitment can be challenging as many work part-time, and it can be difficult to find personnel with the right skills. The work environment can be demanding with heavy lifting, early mornings, and constant attention to animal health and disease control. Seasonal variations in workload occur, requiring flexibility to adapt to different production cycles. Technological advances and new regulations in animal welfare also demand ongoing training and adaptability.

Tips for those who want to become a poultry breeder

To succeed as a poultry breeder, it helps to have a genuine interest in animals, as daily work requires engagement and patience. Precision is crucial for following hygiene and animal health routines, reducing the risk of disease spread. Flexibility facilitates handling seasonal variations and unforeseen situations. Good teamwork skills are appreciated, especially when working in teams or family businesses, while initiative and problem-solving skills are important for developing and streamlining operations. Being prepared for physical work and a willingness to learn continuously provide good conditions for thriving and developing in the profession.

Key facts about poultry breeders

  • Education level: High school education (natural resource programs, 3 years)
  • Work environment: Physically demanding, barn environment focused on animal health
  • Work form: Full-time or part-time, often on small farms
  • Demand: Great opportunities for employment, 360 job openings nationwide
  • Special skills: Animal husbandry, disease control, technical equipment

Career paths and future prospects

After 3–5 years as a poultry breeder, career options include more specialized roles such as supervisor, production manager, or own business within poultry farming. Further education can open doors to advisory roles, sales of animal products, or work within industry organizations. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service’s forecast, job opportunities in the profession are significant, and demand is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years. However, recruitment challenges persist, favoring well-educated and experienced individuals.

Frequently asked questions about poultry breeders

  • What does a poultry breeder earn?
    - A poultry breeder has an average monthly salary of 28 400 SEK.
  • Are there significant salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, men earn an average of 29,700 SEK while women earn 27 800 SEK, which means women earn 94% of men's salaries.
  • What education is required to become a poultry breeder?
    - High school education in natural resource management is recommended, preferably with a focus on animals or agriculture, along with practical experience.
  • What is the job market like?
    - Opportunities for employment are plentiful with approximately 360 job openings nationwide, and demand is expected to stay stable over the next five years.
  • What are the highest and lowest salaries for poultry breeders?
    - The highest salary is 32,500 SEK and the lowest is 27,000 SEK.
  • What personal qualities are important in this profession?
    - Engagement with animals, accuracy, flexibility, and teamwork skills are especially valued.
  • What benefits are common?
    - Common benefits include work clothing, wellness contributions, sometimes housing, and opportunities for further training.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Animal breeders, poultry is 32500 kr. This salary belongs to a woman working in the Public sector with a upper secondary education, maximum 2 years. The highest salary for a man in this profession is 31900 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Animal breeders, poultry is 27000 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Privately employed officials. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 29700 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 25500 kr 27200 kr
25-34 26600 kr 28000 kr
35-44 29600 kr 30300 kr
45-54 27600 kr 27900 kr
55-64 30600 kr 31300 kr
Snitt 94% 27400 kr 28400 kr
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 Animal breeders, poultry has the SSYK code 6121, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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