How much does a Horse caretaker make

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Horse caretaker

28 400 kr

Breeders and caretakers of farm animals

27 000 - 32 500 kr / month

Women earn 94% of what men do.

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Salary progression Horse caretaker

Average salary 28 400 kr
Males 29 700 kr
Females 27 800 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 5 Vacant jobs ->

What does a horse caretaker do? – Tasks and work environment

A horse caretaker is responsible for the daily care of horses at stables, riding schools, trotting and galloping stables, or breeding farms. Tasks include feeding, mucking out, caring for stalls and paddocks, grooming, tacking, and sometimes assisting during veterinary visits or with farriers. Often, preparations for competitions or training are part of the job, along with maintaining order in the stable environment and equipment. The work is physically demanding and mainly performed outdoors or in stable environments, which involves exposure to weather changes and sometimes heavy lifting. Working hours can vary and include early mornings, evenings, and weekends since animal needs must be met year-round.

Salary development over time

The salary for horse caretakers has shown steady growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 27,200 SEK per month, increasing to 28 400 SEK in 2023 and remaining at the same level in 2024. This increase corresponds to approximately 4.4% from 2022 to 2023, with no change in the past year. The salary development indicates some improvement but also a slowdown, likely due to ongoing high competition for jobs and a relatively low formal education level within the profession. The market for horse caretakers is stable, but the limited salary increase may also be due to many positions being part-time or hourly-based, and the profession not requiring extensive training.

Horse caretaker salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 28 400 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 27,000 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 32,500 SEK/month
  • Hourly rate (average): 171 SEK
  • Women: 27 800 SEK (94% of men's salary)
  • Men: 29,700 SEK
  • Regional differences: Data not available

Education and qualifications

To work as a horse caretaker, usually no higher formal education is required, but a high school education in natural resource management with a focus on horses is a common pathway. Practical experience is highly valued, and many employers prefer applicants who have completed internships or trainee positions at stables. There are also opportunities to supplement with shorter courses or certifications to strengthen knowledge in animal care and horse handling.

  • High school education: Natural resource management program, horse specialization (3 years)
  • Certifications: Courses in horse care and animal husbandry
  • Internships: Strongly recommended, often via high school or workplace
  • Prerequisites: No formal requirements, but experience with horses is highly advantageous
  • Tips for choosing: Select programs with lots of practical training and mentorship opportunities

Many horse caretakers have the opportunity to develop close relationships with both horses and colleagues, making the work environment social and often very enjoyable. Despite the physically demanding tasks, many report that daily work provides great satisfaction and variety, especially for those who enjoy outdoor work and animal contact.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

As a horse caretaker, you can often expect benefits such as work clothing, wellness allowances, and sometimes subsidized meals or accommodation near the workplace. In some cases, access to staff horses for riding or training is offered, along with opportunities for further education through the employer.

Competition and challenges

The job market for horse caretakers is characterized by high demand, but there is a paradoxical recruitment situation where many positions are part-time, and it can be difficult to find personnel with the right experience. Challenges often include a physically demanding work environment, irregular working hours, and relatively low wages compared to other natural resource professions. Additionally, a high level of responsibility and flexibility is required, especially during busy periods such as foaling or competition season.

Tips for those who want to become a horse caretaker

To succeed as a horse caretaker, it is good to combine a genuine interest in animals with endurance and meticulousness. Demonstrating responsibility and the ability to work independently, especially early mornings or on weekends, is important. Good physical condition facilitates heavy lifting and long workdays, while social skills contribute to good teamwork with colleagues and horse owners. Being flexible and solution-oriented is crucial, as unforeseen situations often arise in stable environments. Finally, early internships or part-time jobs in the industry are advantageous, as experience is highly valued when applying for positions.

Key facts about horse caretakers

  • Average salary: 28 400 SEK/month
  • Education level: High school (natural resource management, horse specialization)
  • Work environment: Stable, outdoors, physically demanding
  • Demand: Large employment opportunities
  • Number of available jobs: 360 positions nationwide

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a horse caretaker, there are opportunities to advance to stable manager, supervisor, or specialize in areas such as breeding, competition, or training. Some choose to further their education as riding instructors or hippologists, while others start their own businesses within the horse industry. Forecasts from the Swedish Public Employment Service indicate that job opportunities in the profession are plentiful, and demand is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years. The recruitment situation is characterized by difficulties in finding personnel with the right experience, with many working part-time. This points to a stable but competitive job market for those seeking long-term employment in the field.

Frequently asked questions about horse caretakers

  • What does a horse caretaker earn?
    - A horse caretaker has an average salary of 28 400 SEK per month, with an hourly rate of 171 SEK.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn an average of 27 800 SEK (94% of men's salary), while men earn 29,700 SEK.
  • What education is required to become a horse caretaker?
    - High school education in natural resource management with a focus on horses is common, but experience with horses is highly valued.
  • What is the job market like for horse caretakers?
    - Opportunities are plentiful with 360 available positions nationwide and demand remaining unchanged, according to the Swedish Public Employment Service.
  • What are the duties of a horse caretaker?
    - Tasks include daily care of horses, feeding, mucking out, stall cleaning, and sometimes assisting at competitions or veterinary visits.
  • What is the highest and lowest salary for a horse caretaker?
    - The highest salary is 32,500 SEK and the lowest is 27,000 SEK, depending on experience, sector, and education.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-07 10:04:22

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Horse caretaker is 32500 kr. This salary belongs to a woman working in the Public sector with a upper secondary education, maximum 2 years. The highest salary for a man in this profession is 31900 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Horse caretaker is 27000 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Privately employed officials. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 29700 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 25500 kr 27200 kr
25-34 26600 kr 28000 kr
35-44 29600 kr 30300 kr
45-54 27600 kr 27900 kr
55-64 30600 kr 31300 kr
Snitt 94% 27400 kr 28400 kr
* Empty columns indicate that the statistical data was insufficient to allow for a statistically significant conclusion.
Salary per sector
Salary based on education
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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 Horse caretaker has the SSYK code 6121, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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