- Salary statistics
- Experimental animal techniques
Experimental animal techniques
25 100 - 28 000 kr / month
Naturbruk
Salary progression Experimental animal techniques
What does a laboratory animal technician do? – tasks and work environment
A laboratory animal technician works with caring for, monitoring, and managing animals used in research. Tasks include daily supervision of animals, feeding, cleaning cages and environmental enrichment, as well as documenting animal health and behavior. The role also involves assisting researchers during experiments and sample collections, and ensuring animal care complies with laws and ethical guidelines. The work environment is usually laboratory-based with high standards of precision, hygiene, and animal welfare. Laboratory animal technicians often work in teams and have regular contact with veterinarians and research staff.
Salary development over time
The salary for a laboratory animal technician has shown variation over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 25,000 SEK per month, which increased significantly to 27 800 SEK in 2023. This increase corresponds to about 11.2%, linked to higher demand for skills in animal testing and new research projects. In 2024, the average salary has decreased to 26 300 SEK, a reduction of approximately 5.4% compared to the previous year. This decline may be due to changes in the job market, budget cuts in research, or increased competition for positions. Salaries are also influenced by education level and sector, with private sector employees with longer education generally earning somewhat higher wages.
Working as a laboratory animal technician often involves handling sensitive ethical issues and working closely with researchers to ensure animal welfare. Continuing education in animal care and ethics is important, as laws and methods are constantly evolving.
Laboratory animal technician salary – complete overview
- Average salary: 26 300 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 25,100 SEK (female, high school education)
- Highest salary: 28,000 SEK (female, post-secondary education of 3 years or more)
- Hourly wage: 158 SEK
- Gender differences: Women earn 26 300 SEK; highest salary for men is 27,500 SEK, lowest for men 25,400 SEK
- Regional differences: Information not available
Education and qualifications
To work as a laboratory animal technician, a high school education in animal care is usually required, preferably supplemented with post-secondary training focused on laboratory animals. Many employers also value practical experience in animal handling and relevant certifications. Knowledge of animal protection laws and the ability to work according to ethical guidelines are essential.
- High school: Animal Care Program (3 years)
- Post-secondary: Vocational university/institute with specialization in laboratory animals (1–2 years)
- Certifications: Approved course in laboratory animal science (per the Swedish Board of Agriculture requirements)
- Internship: Recommended during education or as a trainee
- Prerequisites: Experience in animal handling and documented animal familiarity
Common benefits and compensation
Laboratory animal technicians are often offered benefits such as wellness allowances, paid further training, extra vacation days, and flexible working hours. Some workplaces also provide work clothing, subsidized lunches, and collective agreement-based insurance and pension schemes.
Competition and challenges
The profession is specialized, and competition for jobs can vary depending on region and the focus of the organization. Since research projects and laboratories are limited, a formal education and practical experience are often necessary to secure employment. Ethical issues related to animal testing also require high integrity and the ability to handle sensitive situations. Technological advances and changing legislation may impact job tasks and require ongoing training. Workload can also be uneven, depending on project scope and research intensity.
Tips for aspiring laboratory animal technicians
To succeed as a laboratory animal technician, a genuine interest in animals and research, along with careful work habits, is beneficial. Structured workflows are crucial since documentation and routines are central to the profession. Good teamwork skills facilitate collaboration with researchers and colleagues. Flexibility is important, as tasks can vary quickly between projects. Early internships help build experience and networks in the industry. Staying updated on laws and ethical guidelines provides a competitive edge, as does demonstrating responsibility and empathy for animal welfare. Continuous education is valuable to meet industry requirements and developments.
Key facts about laboratory animal technicians
- Education level: High school or post-secondary education in animal care
- Work environment: Laboratory-based and regulated environment
- Work mode: Full-time or shift work, often in teams
- Demand: 360 job openings according to latest data
- Special skills: Animal handling, ethics, documentation, hygiene routines
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years as a laboratory animal technician, opportunities to advance to more specialized roles exist, such as senior technician, laboratory coordinator, or animal supervisor within larger research institutions. Some choose to further their education in laboratory medicine or animal testing ethics to take on managerial roles. Forecasts from the Swedish Employment Service indicate stable demand for trained laboratory animal technicians, especially in medical research and biotechnology. Digitalization and new research methods may create additional career opportunities, while the need for ethically knowledgeable technicians remains.
Frequently asked questions about laboratory animal technicians
- What does a laboratory animal technician earn?
- The average salary is 26 300 SEK per month, but it may vary depending on education level and sector. - What education is required to become a laboratory animal technician?
- A high school education in animal care, along with post-secondary training or certification in laboratory animals, is recommended. - Are there gender differences in salary?
- Women earn an average of 26 300 SEK; the highest salary for men is 27,500 SEK, and the lowest is 25,400 SEK. - What is the work environment like for laboratory animal technicians?
- The work environment is laboratory-based with high demands on accuracy, hygiene, and ethics. - What career paths are available after a few years in the profession?
- Opportunities exist to advance to more responsible roles, such as animal supervisor or laboratory coordinator. - What is the demand like on the job market?
- According to recent data, there are 360 job openings within the profession, indicating stable demand.
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 techniques has the SSYK code 6129, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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