- Salary statistics
- Experimental animal caretaker
Experimental animal caretaker
25 100 - 28 000 kr / month
Naturbruk
Salary progression Experimental animal caretaker
What does a Försöksdjursskötare do? – Tasks and Work Environment
A Försöksdjursskötare works with caring for and maintaining animals used in research and development, often at universities, government research institutes, or pharmaceutical companies. Tasks include daily supervision, feeding, cleaning cages and enrichment, as well as meticulous documentation of animal health and behavior. The role requires high hygiene standards, great attention to detail, and adherence to ethical guidelines and laws regulating animal testing. The work environment can vary from laboratories to larger animal facilities, where protective equipment and biosecurity routines are a natural part of daily life.
Salary Development Over Time
Försöksdjursskötare have experienced fluctuating salary development over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 25,000 SEK per month, increasing to 27 800 SEK in 2023. This represented an approximately 11.2% increase over one year, likely driven by increased demand and a general appreciation of animal care professions within research. In 2024, the salary has decreased to 26 300 SEK, a decline of just over 5% compared to the previous year. This downturn may be due to changing budgets within the research sector or increased competition for positions. Despite fluctuations, the salary remains steadily above 25,000 SEK, reflecting the ongoing importance of the role in the research chain.
Försöksdjursskötare Salary – Complete Overview
- Average salary: 26 300 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 25,100 SEK (woman, upper secondary education, various sectors)
- Highest salary: 28,000 SEK (woman, private sector, at least 3 years post-secondary education)
- Hourly wage (average): 158 SEK
- Women: 26 300 SEK (no specific data on men's average salary)
- Regional differences: Data missing for detailed regional levels
Education and Qualifications
To work as a Försöksdjursskötare, at least upper secondary education with a focus on animals is generally required, often supplemented with specialized training in laboratory animals. Many employers prefer candidates with post-secondary education and specific certifications according to animal welfare laws. Practical experience in animal husbandry and laboratory environments is highly meritorious.
- Upper secondary education: Animal care program, 3 years
- Post-secondary education: Vocational training or university courses on laboratory animals, 1–3 years
- Certifications: Qualification training for working with laboratory animals according to the Swedish Board of Agriculture's requirements
- Internships: Internships or trainee positions in laboratory settings are recommended
- Courses: Continuing education in animal welfare, biosecurity, and ethics
Försöksdjursskötare often work closely with researchers and can play a crucial role in ensuring both animal welfare and the quality of scientific results. Communication and precision are therefore as important as practical animal handling skills.
Common Benefits and Compensation
Försöksdjursskötare are often covered by collective agreements that provide occupational pension, sick pay, and insurance. It is common to have wellness contributions, opportunities for further training, and sometimes extra days off. Employers within the public sector and academia often offer secure employment conditions and subsidized lunches or staff discounts.
Competition and Challenges
The profession of Försöksdjursskötare is characterized by a relatively small job market where competition can vary depending on region and research activity. The number of available positions is influenced by research grants and project cycles, which can lead to periods of high or low demand. High specialization and certification requirements may limit the number of applicants but also increase opportunities for well-educated candidates. Ethical debates around animal testing and changes in legislation can also impact the profession and the number of positions. Working with laboratory animals also requires emotional resilience, as animal welfare must always be prioritized.
Tips for Aspiring Försöksdjursskötare
To succeed as a Försöksdjursskötare, it is beneficial to have a genuine interest in animals and research, as well as a strong sense of responsibility. Being meticulous facilitates daily tasks such as documentation and observations, while empathy is crucial for ensuring animal well-being. Flexibility is needed because tasks can vary depending on the changing requirements of research projects. Good teamwork skills ease communication with researchers and colleagues, and endurance is required to handle physically and emotionally demanding situations. It is also advantageous to be open to continuing education and to stay updated on new laws and routines related to animal care and ethics.
Key Facts about Försöksdjursskötare
- Education level: Upper secondary or post-secondary education with a focus on animals
- Work environment: Laboratories, research institutions, and universities
- Employment type: Mostly full-time employment, sometimes shift work
- Demand: About 360 job openings in the profession according to the latest survey
- Special skills: Certification for working with laboratory animals is required
Career Paths and Future Outlook
After three to five years in the profession, a Försöksdjursskötare can take on roles such as team leader, responsible for specific animal facilities, or further qualify as a laboratory supervisor. There are also opportunities to specialize in different animal species or to work in training new caretakers. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, demand is expected to remain stable, with approximately 360 job openings in the profession. Digitalization, increased animal welfare requirements, and advances in biomedical research indicate a continued need for qualified laboratory animal caretakers in the future.
Common Questions about Försöksdjursskötare
- What does a Försöksdjursskötare earn?
- The average salary is 26 300 SEK per month, with variation depending on education and employment type. - What education is required to become a Försöksdjursskötare?
- At least upper secondary education with a focus on animals, often supplemented with certification for laboratory animals. - What is the working environment like for a Försöksdjursskötare?
- The work environment is often laboratory-based with high demands on hygiene, safety, and documentation. - Are there salary differences between women and men?
- Women have an average salary of 26 300 SEK; data on men's average salary is unavailable, but the highest and lowest salaries are similar. - What are the future prospects for the profession?
- Demand is stable with about 360 job openings according to recent surveys. - What benefits are common for Försöksdjursskötare?
- Common benefits include collective agreements, occupational pension, wellness contributions, and further training.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 23900 kr | 25400 kr | |
| 25-34 | 26000 kr | 26800 kr | |
| Snitt | 25400 kr | 26300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 24800 kr | 25300 kr | |
| 25-34 | 110% | 26200 kr | 26700 kr |
| 35-44 | 26600 kr | 27000 kr | |
| 45-54 | 28000 kr | 28600 kr | |
| 55-64 | 104% | 26800 kr | 27200 kr |
| Snitt | 102% | 26400 kr | 26900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 24800 kr | 25300 kr | |
| 25-34 | 110% | 26200 kr | 26700 kr |
| 35-44 | 26600 kr | 27000 kr | |
| 45-54 | 28000 kr | 28600 kr | |
| 55-64 | 104% | 26800 kr | 27200 kr |
| Snitt | 102% | 26400 kr | 26900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 25100 kr | 26200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 25100 kr | 26200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 110% | 24500 kr | 24500 kr |
| 55-64 | 104% | 26300 kr | 26300 kr |
| Snitt | 102% | 25800 kr | 26300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 110% | 24500 kr | 24500 kr |
| 55-64 | 104% | 26300 kr | 26300 kr |
| Snitt | 102% | 25800 kr | 26300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 23900 kr | 25300 kr | |
| 25-34 | 25800 kr | 26500 kr | |
| Snitt | 25200 kr | 26300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 24800 kr | 25300 kr | |
| 25-34 | 110% | 26300 kr | 26900 kr |
| 35-44 | 26600 kr | 27000 kr | |
| 45-54 | 28100 kr | 28700 kr | |
| 55-64 | 104% | 27000 kr | 27400 kr |
| Snitt | 102% | 26400 kr | 26900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 24800 kr | 25300 kr | |
| 25-34 | 110% | 26300 kr | 26900 kr |
| 35-44 | 26600 kr | 27000 kr | |
| 45-54 | 28100 kr | 28700 kr | |
| 55-64 | 104% | 27000 kr | 27400 kr |
| Snitt | 102% | 26400 kr | 26900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 24800 kr | 26100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 24800 kr | 26100 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 Experimental animal caretaker has the SSYK code 6129, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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