How much does a Poultry caretaker make

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Poultry caretaker

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 Poultry caretaker

Average salary 28 400 kr
Males 29 700 kr
Females 27 800 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 5 Vacant jobs ->

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

A poultry caretaker is responsible for the daily care of poultry such as chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese in agriculture. Tasks include feeding, watering, cleaning stables, monitoring animal health and environment, as well as handling breeding and hatching. In addition to animal care, technical maintenance of the barn environment and sometimes simple administrative tasks such as documentation of production and animal health are included. The work environment is often physically demanding and takes place in stables or outdoor environments where temperature and workload vary according to season and production cycles.

Salary development over time

The salary for poultry caretakers has shown stable development over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 27,200 SEK per month, increasing to 28 400 SEK in both 2023 and 2024. This represents an increase of about 4.4% between 2022 and 2023, after which it remained at the same level. The salary increase reflects, among other things, a higher demand for qualified personnel in animal husbandry and a need to meet rising costs for labor and operations. Since 2023, the salary level has stabilized, indicating that the market has reached a balance where supply and demand for labor are relatively even. Gender pay gaps persist, with women earning on average 94% of men's salaries, reflecting a broader trend in the agricultural sector.

Poultry caretaker salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 28 400 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 27,000 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 32,500 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage: 171 SEK
  • Women: 27 800 SEK/month (94 % of men's salary)
  • Men: 29,700 SEK/month
  • Regional differences: Data on regional differences is unavailable

Education and qualifications

Most poultry caretakers have a high school education in natural resource management with a focus on animal husbandry, but it is also possible to acquire vocational skills through workplace training. Some employers may require specific courses in animal handling or disease control, while others offer internal training. Practical experience is highly valued, and often it is the combination of education and work experience that determines employability.

  • High school education: Natural resource management, animal focus (3 years)
  • Vocational courses: Animal handling, disease control, work environment
  • Internship: Workplace-based internships are recommended
  • Certifications: Opportunities for additional courses in hygiene and animal welfare
  • Prerequisites: Basic high school eligibility

Many poultry caretakers work in small teams where cooperation and communication are crucial for maintaining animal health and productivity. The work often involves early mornings and weekend shifts, requiring flexibility and a strong work ethic.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Poultry caretakers are often offered benefits such as work clothing, wellness allowances, and sometimes subsidized food or accommodation, especially if the workplace is located in rural areas. Other common compensations include evening and weekend shift allowances and opportunities for further training through the employer.

Competition and challenges

The competition for positions as a poultry caretaker is generally low, as demand for labor in animal husbandry is stable and sometimes high. Challenges in the profession include physically demanding work, shift work, and high standards for hygiene and animal welfare. The shortage of qualified personnel means employers sometimes have difficulty finding the right skills, especially for full-time positions. Many employees work part-time, which can make it harder to secure full-time employment. The profession also requires readiness to handle disease outbreaks and changes in animal welfare legislation.

Tips for aspiring poultry caretakers

To succeed as a poultry caretaker, it is beneficial to have a genuine interest in animals and to be meticulous in daily work. Practical experience in farming or animal husbandry is a significant advantage, so take the opportunity to seek internships or summer jobs in the industry. Flexibility and a sense of responsibility are important qualities, as the work often involves irregular hours and the need to quickly solve problems that arise. Being cooperative and having good communication skills facilitates teamwork. It is also important to be observant and attentive to early signs of health issues in animals. Finally, physical endurance is an advantage, as the work is often heavy and requires stamina over long working days.

Key facts about poultry caretakers

  • Education level: High school diploma (natural resource management, animals)
  • Work environment: Stables, outdoors, physically demanding
  • Typical employment: Part-time and full-time, often shift work
  • Demand: High, 356 available jobs within the profession
  • Special skills: Animal health, hygiene, disease control

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years of experience, a poultry caretaker can advance to supervisor, barn manager, or specialize in areas such as breeding, animal health, or production optimization. There are also opportunities to start your own business in poultry production or take responsibility for training new employees. According to the Swedish Employment Agency's forecast, job opportunities within the profession are expected to be large, and demand is forecasted to remain unchanged over five years. The industry is characterized by recruitment difficulties, especially for full-time positions, meaning that individuals with the right skills have good employment prospects.

Common questions about poultry caretakers

  • What does a poultry caretaker earn?
    - The average salary is 28 400 SEK per month, with an hourly wage of 171 SEK.
  • Are there gender differences in the salary for poultry caretakers?
    - Yes, women earn on average 94% of men's salaries.
  • What education is required to become a poultry caretaker?
    - High school education in natural resource management, preferably with practical training in animal husbandry.
  • What is the job market like for poultry caretakers?
    - Demand is high, with 356 available jobs within the profession and good future prospects.
  • What are the most common job tasks?
    - Daily care of poultry, feeding, cleaning, monitoring animal health, and technical maintenance.
  • What is the highest and lowest salary for poultry caretakers?
    - The highest salary is 32,500 SEK and the lowest is 27,000 SEK per month.
  • What personal qualities are important?
    - Accuracy, responsibility, endurance, and interest in animals are especially important.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-08-09 23:54:25

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Poultry caretaker 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 Poultry caretaker 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
* 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 Poultry caretaker has the SSYK code 6121, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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