- Salary statistics
- Zoo keeper, zoo salary
Zoo keeper, zoo salary
Latest available salary statistics are for 2025. Compare average pay, salary range and related job listings.
26 000 - 32 000 SEK / month
Naturbruk
Related tools
Salary progression Zoo keeper, zoo
What does a zoo keeper do? – Tasks and work environment
A zoo keeper is responsible for caring for and providing daily supervision to animals of many different species, often focusing on both their well-being and safety. Common tasks include feeding animals, cleaning enclosures and habitats, administering medicines, and monitoring behaviors and health conditions. Contact with animals requires both care and knowledge of species needs, while often also having an educational role towards visitors. The work environment is varied and can involve outdoor work in different weather, physical exertion, and handling both small and large animals.
Salary development over time
The salary development for zoo keepers has shown some fluctuations in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 25,000 SEK, providing a stable baseline for the profession. In the following year, 2023, the average salary increased significantly to 26 300 SEK, corresponding to an approximate 11 percent increase. In 2024, the average salary decreased slightly to 30 000 SEK. This decline may reflect changes in employment types, budget restrictions among public employers, or an increased share of new hires with lower starting salaries. Generally, salary levels are influenced by education, experience, and the type of employer, with private sector employees and those with longer education often earning higher wages.
Zoo keeper salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 30 000 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 25,100 SEK/month (women), 25,400 SEK/month (men)
- Highest salary: 28,000 SEK/month (women), 27,500 SEK/month (men)
- Hourly wage: 158 SEK
- Gender differences: Women 30 000 SEK, specific data on men is unavailable
- Regional differences: Data not available
Education and qualifications
To work as a zoo keeper, a high school education in natural resources with a focus on animals is typically required, but many employers prefer candidates with postgraduate education or specialized courses in animal care. Practical experience and relevant internships are often crucial for employment, as the work involves a high degree of variation and responsibility. For some positions, education in animal handling, disease control, and safety may also be required.
- High school education: Natural resources program, animal specialization (3 years)
- Post-secondary education: YH training or university courses in animal care (1–3 years)
- Internships: Workplace-based internships or trainee positions are often advantageous
- Certifications: Animal handling, disease control, first aid
- Prerequisites: Interest in animals, patience, and sense of responsibility
Zoo keepers often work with species conservation projects and educational activities for visitors, which means the profession combines practical animal work with pedagogy and societal engagement.
Common benefits and compensations
Common benefits for zoo keepers include wellness allowances, work clothing, and sometimes subsidized lunches or staff housing at larger facilities. Some employers also offer opportunities for further education, mentorship in animal handling, and favorable pension conditions. Working hours can vary, and sometimes irregular hours with additional pay are involved.
Competition and challenges
The job market for zoo keepers is competitive, as interest in the profession exceeds the number of available positions. Many employers seek candidates with both formal education and practical experience, making it important to gain internships or relevant work experience early on. Physical workload and working in varying weather conditions can be challenging, as can the need for flexibility regarding working hours. Zoo keepers also need good knowledge of animal behavior and welfare, and the ability to handle unexpected situations safely.
Tips for aspiring zoo keepers
To succeed as a zoo keeper, it is important to have a strong sense of responsibility and a genuine interest in animals, as care and attentiveness are crucial in daily work. Engagement in animal welfare combined with patience makes it easier to handle challenging situations and work long-term with animal development. Being flexible and adaptable is also valuable, as tasks can vary greatly from day to day. Practical experience, such as through internships or summer jobs, provides important insights and increases employment chances. Communication skills are highly beneficial, as many zoo keepers also interact with visitors and contribute to educational activities. Continuously furthering education and staying updated on new research in animal care enhances both the professional role and job opportunities.
Key facts about zoo keepers
- Education level: High school or postgraduate education in animal care
- Work environment: Varied, often outdoor and physically demanding
- Employment forms: Full-time, part-time, and hourly employment are common
- Demand: 360 job openings in the profession according to latest statistics
- Special skills: Animal handling, disease control, pedagogy
Career paths and future prospects
After 3–5 years in the profession, a zoo keeper can advance to roles such as supervisor, responsible for specific animal species, or education coordinator within the zoo. Some choose to further their education as zoologists, biologists, or veterinary assistants to broaden career opportunities. The prognosis from the Employment Service indicates continued stable demand for zoo keepers, especially those with specialized skills in conservation and education. The number of job openings in the profession is relatively high, but competition remains significant. Employers value both experience and formal education, so ongoing skills development is important.
Frequently asked questions about zoo keepers
- What does a zoo keeper earn?
- The average salary is 30 000 SEK per month, with variation depending on experience and education level. - What education is required to become a zoo keeper?
- Usually, a high school education in natural resources, but postgraduate studies and internships are advantageous. - What is the work environment like for zoo keepers?
- The work environment is often physically demanding, varied, and involves both indoor and outdoor work. - Are there salary differences between men and women?
- Women earn an average of 30 000 SEK, while specific data on men is limited; highest salary for women is 28,000 SEK and for men 27,500 SEK. - What career opportunities are available?
- After a few years, one can advance to supervisor, education coordinator, or specialize in species conservation. - How competitive are the jobs?
- Interest in the profession is high, making competition for positions relatively intense. - What benefits are common?
- Wellness allowances, work clothing, and sometimes further education are common benefits.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 23300 kr | 27500 kr | |
| 25-34 | 29600 kr | 30700 kr | |
| Snitt | 28500 kr | 30000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 103% | 25200 kr | 26000 kr |
| 25-34 | 108% | 26700 kr | 27700 kr |
| 35-44 | 27300 kr | 27600 kr | |
| 45-54 | 29000 kr | 29600 kr | |
| 55-64 | 99% | 27200 kr | 28400 kr |
| Snitt | 103% | 26900 kr | 27700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 103% | 25200 kr | 26000 kr |
| 25-34 | 108% | 26700 kr | 27700 kr |
| 35-44 | 27300 kr | 27600 kr | |
| 45-54 | 29000 kr | 29600 kr | |
| 55-64 | 99% | 27200 kr | 28400 kr |
| Snitt | 103% | 26900 kr | 27700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 22900 kr | 27900 kr | |
| Snitt | 29000 kr | 30600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 22900 kr | 27900 kr | |
| Snitt | 29000 kr | 30600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 103% | 25300 kr | 25400 kr |
| 25-34 | 108% | 25300 kr | 25800 kr |
| 55-64 | 99% | 28200 kr | 28700 kr |
| Snitt | 103% | 26600 kr | 27000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 103% | 25300 kr | 25400 kr |
| 25-34 | 108% | 25300 kr | 25800 kr |
| 55-64 | 99% | 28200 kr | 28700 kr |
| Snitt | 103% | 26600 kr | 27000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 23200 kr | 27600 kr | |
| 25-34 | 29700 kr | 30800 kr | |
| Snitt | 29400 kr | 31000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 103% | 25200 kr | 26100 kr |
| 25-34 | 108% | 26800 kr | 27800 kr |
| 35-44 | 27300 kr | 27500 kr | |
| 45-54 | 29100 kr | 29700 kr | |
| 55-64 | 99% | 27000 kr | 28400 kr |
| Snitt | 103% | 26900 kr | 27700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 103% | 25200 kr | 26100 kr |
| 25-34 | 108% | 26800 kr | 27800 kr |
| 35-44 | 27300 kr | 27500 kr | |
| 45-54 | 29100 kr | 29700 kr | |
| 55-64 | 99% | 27000 kr | 28400 kr |
| Snitt | 103% | 26900 kr | 27700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 22800 kr | 27900 kr | |
| Snitt | 30200 kr | 32000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 22800 kr | 27900 kr | |
| Snitt | 30200 kr | 32000 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 Zoo keeper, zoo has the SSYK code 6129, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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