- Salary statistics
- Scientists, zoology salary
Scientists, zoology salary
Latest available salary statistics are for 2025. Compare average pay, salary range and related job listings.
39 600 - 43 700 SEK / month
Women earn 97% of what men do.
Naturvetenskapligt arbete
Related tools
Salary progression Scientists, zoology
What does a researcher in zoology do? – Tasks and work environment
A researcher in zoology studies animals' biology, behavior, ecology, and evolution. Tasks may include field studies, laboratory experiments, data collection, sample analysis, and publishing research results in scientific journals. Many zoology researchers collaborate with universities, authorities, or research institutes and are often involved in projects that contribute to increased understanding of habitats and conservation of species. The work environment varies between office work, laboratories, and fieldwork, sometimes involving travel to remote locations for data collection or animal observation in their natural habitats.
Salary development over time
Over the past three years, salaries for zoology researchers have shown a steady upward trend. In 2022, the average salary was 37,500 SEK per month, followed by an increase to 39 200 SEK in 2023. In 2024, the average salary is 42 600 SEK, representing a total salary increase of approximately 4.5% over the period. This development can be linked to increased demand for specialized expertise in scientific research fields as well as general salary adjustments within academic professions. The market for zoology researchers is relatively small, which tends to result in moderate salary increases compared to some other natural science fields.
Researcher in zoology salary – complete overview
- Average salary: 42 600 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 38,100 SEK/month
- Highest salary: 43,800 SEK/month (men), 42,800 SEK/month (women)
- Hourly wage: 236 SEK
- Gender pay gap: Women earn 97% of men's salary (men: 43 200 SEK, women: 42 000 SEK)
- Regional differences: Data unavailable
Education and qualifications
To work as a researcher in zoology, a higher education degree in biology or related fields is usually required, often complemented with doctoral studies (PhD). The educational path includes both theoretical studies and practical components such as laboratories and fieldwork. Many employers also value experience in scientific publication and project management.
- Bachelor's degree in biology or zoology (3 years)
- Master's degree in biology or related field (2 years)
- Doctoral degree (PhD) in zoology or biology (additional 4–5 years)
- Internships, research assistant positions, or trainee programs
- Good knowledge of statistics and scientific methods
- Ability to communicate research in writing and orally
Zoology researchers often have the opportunity to combine their interest in animals with travel to unique environments worldwide, from rainforests to Arctic regions. This opens up collaborations with international research groups and can offer a global workday unlike many other professions.
Common benefits and compensations
Researchers in zoology are often covered by collective agreements, which include benefits such as occupational pension, insurance, wellness contributions, and generous vacation policies. At universities and colleges, support for conference travel, research grants, and sabbaticals may also be available. Flexible working hours are common, especially during fieldwork.
Competition and challenges
The competition for positions as a zoology researcher is generally high, as the number of research positions is limited relative to the number of qualified applicants. Many researchers work on temporary contracts in project-based roles, which can create uncertainty about the duration of employment and future funding. Publishing pressure is high within academia, and researchers are often expected to seek their own research funding. Additionally, fieldwork under sometimes demanding and unpredictable conditions is required. Despite these challenges, the profession offers great freedom and opportunities for international collaboration for those engaged and adaptable.
Tips for aspiring zoology researchers
To succeed as a zoology researcher, it is beneficial to combine curiosity and perseverance with strong analytical skills. Early engagement in research projects or internships helps build experience and networks. Good teamwork skills are important, as many projects are conducted in teams and often across borders. The ability to communicate scientific results, both in writing and orally, facilitates career development. Being flexible and adaptable is essential, especially during fieldwork in varying conditions. Precision in data collection and analysis is a valuable trait. Finally, staying updated on new techniques and research methods is advantageous, as the field is constantly evolving.
Key facts about zoology researchers
- Educational level: Doctoral or master's degree in biology/zoology
- Work environment: Varies between laboratory, field, and office
- Typical employment: Project-based or research position at university/institute
- Demand: Limited number of permanent positions, but 143 job openings within the profession
- Special skills: Scientific methods, statistics, fieldwork
Career paths and future prospects
After 3–5 years as a zoology researcher, opportunities exist to advance to more independent roles, such as project leader or research group supervisor. Many also choose to specialize further, for example in fauna conservation, ecology, or environmental monitoring. Combining research with teaching at universities is also common. The future job market outlook is difficult to assess, as the Swedish Public Employment Service does not provide a specific forecast for the profession due to limited data. However, currently, there are 143 job openings within the profession of plant and animal biologists, indicating some demand but also competition for the most attractive positions.
Frequently asked questions about zoology researchers
- What does a researcher in zoology earn?
- The average salary for a researcher in zoology is 42 600 SEK per month. - What are the gender differences in salary?
- Women earn on average 97% of men's salaries in this profession. - What education is required to become a researcher in zoology?
- Typically, a master's or doctoral degree in biology, zoology, or related fields is required. - Are there many job openings in the field?
- Currently, there are 143 job openings within the profession of plant and animal biologists. - What work environments are common?
- Work environments vary between laboratories, offices, and fieldwork. - How large is the salary variation?
- The lowest salary is 38,100 SEK and the highest is 43,800 SEK (men) and 42,800 SEK (women). - What personal qualities are important?
- Analytical ability, curiosity, teamwork, and flexibility are key qualities.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 37000 kr | 37400 kr | |
| 35-44 | 42200 kr | 42300 kr | |
| 45-54 | 45000 kr | 45200 kr | |
| 55-64 | 46000 kr | 46600 kr | |
| Snitt | 97% | 42300 kr | 42600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 100% | 38000 kr | 38300 kr |
| 35-44 | 99% | 40300 kr | 40500 kr |
| 45-54 | 101% | 42000 kr | 42100 kr |
| 55-64 | 104% | 42900 kr | 42900 kr |
| 65-68 | 89% | 44100 kr | 44200 kr |
| Snitt | 100% | 41200 kr | 41300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 100% | 38000 kr | 38300 kr |
| 35-44 | 99% | 40300 kr | 40500 kr |
| 45-54 | 101% | 42000 kr | 42100 kr |
| 55-64 | 104% | 42900 kr | 42900 kr |
| 65-68 | 89% | 44100 kr | 44200 kr |
| Snitt | 100% | 41200 kr | 41300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 43200 kr | 43600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 43200 kr | 43600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 97% | 42900 kr | 43200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 100% | 38100 kr | 38400 kr |
| 35-44 | 99% | 40600 kr | 40800 kr |
| 45-54 | 101% | 41800 kr | 41900 kr |
| 55-64 | 104% | 42100 kr | 42200 kr |
| 65-68 | 89% | 45700 kr | 45800 kr |
| Snitt | 100% | 41200 kr | 41400 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 100% | 38100 kr | 38400 kr |
| 35-44 | 99% | 40600 kr | 40800 kr |
| 45-54 | 101% | 41800 kr | 41900 kr |
| 55-64 | 104% | 42100 kr | 42200 kr |
| 65-68 | 89% | 45700 kr | 45800 kr |
| Snitt | 100% | 41200 kr | 41400 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 40700 kr | 40800 kr | |
| 45-54 | 45500 kr | 45800 kr | |
| Snitt | 97% | 41800 kr | 42000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 100% | 38000 kr | 38300 kr |
| 35-44 | 99% | 40100 kr | 40300 kr |
| 45-54 | 101% | 42200 kr | 42300 kr |
| 55-64 | 104% | 43700 kr | 43700 kr |
| 65-68 | 89% | 40900 kr | 40900 kr |
| Snitt | 100% | 41100 kr | 41200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 100% | 38000 kr | 38300 kr |
| 35-44 | 99% | 40100 kr | 40300 kr |
| 45-54 | 101% | 42200 kr | 42300 kr |
| 55-64 | 104% | 43700 kr | 43700 kr |
| 65-68 | 89% | 40900 kr | 40900 kr |
| Snitt | 100% | 41100 kr | 41200 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 Scientists, zoology has the SSYK code 2132, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
-
Work at the University of Gothenburg – Diverse Knowledge for a Better Future
Plant and animal biologists
Thu, 18 Jun 2026 - 21:23 -
Postdoc in Theoretical Evolutionary Biology Focusing on Fungal Life Cycles
Plant and animal biologists
Tue, 16 Jun 2026 - 20:59 -
Postdoctoral Researcher in Biogeochemistry and Tundra Plants
Plant and animal biologists
Mon, 15 Jun 2026 - 21:24
Compare salary, work tasks and job outlook in adjacent occupations to find roles with similar skills or pay levels.
-
Average salary: 53 100 SEK/month • Naturvetenskapligt arbete
Physicists and astronomers
Compare with Scientists, zoology
Wed, 24 Jun 2026 - 01:27 -
Biologist, cell and molecular salary
Average salary: 48 100 SEK/month • Naturvetenskapligt arbete
Cell and molecular biologists etc.
Compare with Scientists, zoology
Mon, 22 Jun 2026 - 15:22 -
Average salary: 42 600 SEK/month • Naturvetenskapligt arbete
Plant and animal biologists
Compare with Scientists, zoology
Wed, 24 Jun 2026 - 10:54 -
Average salary: 55 000 SEK/month • Naturvetenskapligt arbete
Chemists
Compare with Scientists, zoology
Wed, 24 Jun 2026 - 05:51 -
Average salary: 55 000 SEK/month • Naturvetenskapligt arbete
Chemists
Compare with Scientists, zoology
Wed, 24 Jun 2026 - 10:32 -
Average salary: 55 000 SEK/month • Naturvetenskapligt arbete
Chemists
Compare with Scientists, zoology
Wed, 24 Jun 2026 - 09:41
