What does a health control veterinarian do? – Tasks and work environment
A health control veterinarian primarily works with examining animals to assess their health status and prevent diseases. Common tasks include performing clinical examinations, taking samples, analyzing results, and documenting findings. The work may also involve advising animal owners on preventive healthcare and vaccinations, as well as collaborating with other specialists to ensure animal welfare. Health control veterinarians are often found at veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, or within the public sector where inspections of larger animal populations and food production are included in the duties. The work environment is varied, and it can involve both office work and outdoor activities, depending on the workplace type and focus.
Salary development over time
The salary for health control veterinarians has shown positive growth in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 48,500 SEK per month, increasing the following year to 50 300 SEK. In 2024, the average salary has risen further to 53 000 SEK, representing a total increase of just over 9% over the three-year period. This salary development reflects an increased demand for veterinarians overall, especially in areas prioritizing animal health and preventive work. Large employment opportunities and recruitment difficulties also contribute to upward pressure on salaries. However, gender salary differences persist, and regional variations may occur depending on employers and demand.
Health control veterinarian salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 53 000 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 45,300 SEK/month (men), 48,900 SEK/month (women)
- Highest salary: 55,700 SEK/month (men), 54,400 SEK/month (women)
- Hourly wage: 319 SEK/hour
- Gender differences: Women earn 95% of what men do (men: 55 300 SEK, women: 52 500 SEK)
- Regional differences: May occur depending on employer and demand
Education and qualifications
To work as a health control veterinarian, a veterinary degree from university is required, which includes both theoretical and practical components. After completing the education, a license issued by the Swedish Board of Agriculture is necessary to practice as a veterinarian in Sweden. Specializations within health control and preventive animal health care can be pursued through further training and courses, and internships are an obligatory part of the basic education.
- Veterinary degree: University education, 5.5 years
- License: Issued by the Swedish Board of Agriculture
- Further training: Opportunities for specialization in health control and animal health care
- Internship: Mandatory part of the education
- Prerequisites: Basic eligibility and specific requirements in biology, chemistry, and physics
Many health control veterinarians work with advanced diagnostics and preventive disease control, which often involves collaboration with authorities and research teams. This cooperation can lead to opportunities to influence national animal health policies.
Common benefits and compensations
In addition to the base salary, health control veterinarians often receive benefits such as occupational pension, wellness allowance, and paid further training. Flexible working hours, extra vacation days, and compensation for unsociable hours are also common, especially in the public sector and larger organizations. Some employers also offer insurance and opportunities for professional development within specialist areas.
Competition and challenges
The job market for health control veterinarians is characterized by relatively high demand but also recruitment difficulties, as many in the profession work part-time or choose to specialize further. Competition for the most attractive positions can be fierce, especially in metropolitan areas and research-intensive workplaces. At the same time, high demands are placed on up-to-date competence and the ability to handle new disease threats and regulations. The profession also requires good communication skills and stress tolerance, especially when working with larger animal populations or in emergency situations.
Tips for those who want to become a health control veterinarian
To succeed as a health control veterinarian, it is good to combine thoroughness with a strong sense of animal welfare. Analytical skills facilitate diagnosing complex health problems, and patience is valuable when meeting animal owners and colleagues. Engagement in continuous professional development helps stay updated on new research and legislation, which is crucial in the profession. Ability to collaborate effectively with other professionals, such as animal caretakers and authorities, is also important for successful preventive work. Flexibility and stress resilience help when the pace is high and tasks vary. Finally, good communication skills are central, both for informing animal owners and documenting important findings clearly.
Key facts about health control veterinarian
- Educational level: Veterinary degree, 5.5 years
- Work environment: Clinics, animal hospitals, public sector
- Demand: High, according to the Swedish Public Employment Service
- Number of job openings: 375 within the profession
- Special skills: Preventive health care and diagnostics
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years in the profession, opportunities exist to advance to leadership roles within animal health care, such as responsible veterinarian for larger herds or as a specialist in disease control. Some choose to work with research, education, or government agencies. Forecasts from the Swedish Public Employment Service indicate that job opportunities for veterinarians are large and expected to remain unchanged over the next five years. However, recruitment challenges persist due to difficulties in finding the right competence, especially since many work part-time. Both public and private sectors offer development opportunities, and further training can lead to deepened expertise in areas such as food safety or animal welfare.
Frequently asked questions about health control veterinarian
- What does a health control veterinarian earn?
- The average salary is 53 000 SEK per month.
- How does the salary difference between men and women look?
- Women earn 52 500 SEK while men earn 55 300 SEK, which means women earn 95% of men's salary.
- What education is required to become a health control veterinarian?
- A veterinary degree from university, 5.5 years, and certification from the Swedish Board of Agriculture.
- Are there good job prospects in the profession?
- Yes, demand is high and there are approximately 375 job openings within the profession.
- What are the most common workplaces for health control veterinarians?
- Common workplaces include veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, and the public sector.
- What are the future prospects?
- The forecast is that demand for health control veterinarians will remain unchanged over the next five years.
- What is the highest and lowest salary?
- Highest salary is 55,700 SEK (men), 54,400 SEK (women). Lowest salary is 45,300 SEK (men), 48,900 SEK (women).
