Poultry breeders

What does a poultry farmer do? – tasks and work environment

A poultry farmer is responsible for breeding, caring for, and monitoring poultry such as chickens, chicks, turkeys, and ducks. The work involves ensuring animal health through daily inspections, feeding, cleaning stables, and monitoring environmental conditions. Poultry farmers often work in larger facilities or smaller farms, where the work environment can be physically demanding and require good endurance. Hygiene routines are important to minimize the risk of disease spread, and work is conducted both indoors and outdoors depending on the season and production method.

Salary development over time

The salary development for poultry farmers has been relatively stable in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 27,200 SEK per month, while in both 2023 and 2024 it reached 28 400. This represents an increase of approximately 4.4% from 2022 to 2023, which has persisted into 2024. This increase can be explained by generally rising wages within agricultural professions and increased demand for skilled labor in animal husbandry. Despite this, salary growth has plateaued in the past year, possibly due to market stability and a certain saturation in demand. The job market still indicates good opportunities for newcomers in the profession.

Poultry farmer 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
• Men's average salary: 29,700 SEK/month
• Women's average salary: 27 800 SEK/month
• Women’s salary as a percentage of men's: 94%
• Regional differences: Data on differences are lacking, but variations may occur depending on county and employer.

Education and qualifications

To work as a poultry farmer, a high school education in natural resource use or agriculture is generally required, often with a focus on animal husbandry. Practical experience is highly valuable, and many employers view internships and further training in animal health and hygiene positively. There are opportunities for additional courses and certifications depending on the business focus.

• High school education: Natural resource use program, agriculture track (3 years)
• Certifications: Organic animal husbandry, hygiene training
• Internships: Common during high school or as trainees
• Prerequisites: Interest in animals and good physical ability
• Additional courses: Animal health, disease control, machinery handling

Common benefits and compensations

Poultry farmers are often offered benefits such as shift allowances for working inconvenient hours, wellness contributions, and training opportunities in animal welfare and machinery handling. The job may also include work shoes, work clothes, and sometimes access to housing on the farm. Some employers offer bonuses based on production results.

Competition and challenges

The competition for positions in poultry farming varies depending on region and season. A challenge is recruiting staff willing to work part-time or during inconvenient hours, as production often runs year-round. Hygiene and disease control requirements demand high attention to detail and responsibility. At the same time, long working hours and physically demanding tasks can be stressful, especially during busy periods. Automation and digitalization of agriculture also mean that poultry farmers need to be open to new technology and ongoing training.

Tips for aspiring poultry farmers

To succeed as a poultry farmer, having a genuine interest in animals and high endurance is beneficial. Precision is crucial for following hygiene routines and preventing disease spread, while flexibility helps manage unforeseen events in production. Being curious about technology makes it easier to handle machinery and digital systems increasingly common in the industry. Collaboration skills and communication are important, especially if working in larger teams or in contact with suppliers and customers. Finally, a problem-solving attitude is helpful when unexpected challenges arise in daily operations.

Key facts about poultry farmers

• Education level: High school, natural resource use program (3 years)
• Work environment: Physically demanding, both indoors and outdoors
• Typical employment: Full-time, but part-time is common
• Demand: Great opportunities for employment nationwide
• Special skills: Animal health, hygiene routines, machinery handling

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, poultry farmers can take on greater responsibilities, such as supervisor or farm manager roles. With further education, advisory roles, sales of animal feed, or quality control work may become relevant. Some choose to start their own organic production business or specialize in breeding and genetics. The employment service assesses that job opportunities are large and demand will remain unchanged over the next five years. However, recruiting fully employed staff can be challenging, as many work part-time and there is a certain shortage of full-time employees. Current statistics show approximately 360 job openings in the profession, indicating continued demand.

Common questions about poultry farmers

• What does a poultry farmer earn?
  - A poultry farmer has an average salary of 28 400 SEK per month.
• Are there differences between men and women?
  - Yes, men earn an average of 29,700 SEK while women earn 27 800.
• What are the highest and lowest salaries for poultry farmers?
  - The highest salary is 32,500 SEK and the lowest 27,000 SEK.
• What education is required?
  - High school education in natural resource use, preferably with practical training and additional courses in animal husbandry.
• What are the future prospects?
  - Job opportunities are plentiful and demand is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years.
• What are the most common work environment requirements?
  - The work environment is often physically demanding and requires high attention to hygiene and disease control.
• Are there many job openings?
  - Yes, there are approximately 360 job openings in the profession right now.