Image that illustrates Horticulturist

Horticulturist

45 700 kr

Specialists and advisors in agriculture etc.

34 400 - 49 300 kr / month

Women earn 85% of what men do.

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What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Horticulturist

Average salary 45 700 kr
Males 48 700 kr
Females 41 300 kr

What does a hortonom do? – Tasks and work environment

A hortonom works with science and advising within cultivation, plant production, as well as horticultural and agricultural economics. Job tasks can vary widely, from research and development in plant biology to advising on sustainable cultivation and plant protection, often focusing on innovation and environmentally adapted solutions. Many hortonomer work at government agencies, research institutes, within the food industry, or as consultants. The work environment can be laboratory-based or outdoors in the field, depending on specialization, and collaboration with other specialists is common.

Salary development over time

The salary development for hortonomer has shown a steady increase in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 40,300 SEK per month, increasing to 45 200 SEK in 2023. In the latest year, 2024, the average salary has continued to rise to 45 700 SEK per month. The total increase over three years amounts to approximately 13%, which is slightly above the average for similar specialist professions. A contributing factor to this salary trend is the increased demand for expertise in sustainability and plant production, as well as more employers valuing advanced education and specialized skills. Despite some gender pay gap, the overall trend remains positive for the profession.

Hortonom salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 45 700 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 34,400 SEK/month (female, private sector worker, high school education)
  • Highest salary: 49,300 SEK/month (male, private sector employee, unspecified education level)
  • Hourly wage: 275 SEK/hour
  • Gender differences: Men earn 48 700 SEK/month, women 41 300 SEK/month (women earn 85% of men's salary)
  • Regional differences: Data missing, but variations occur depending on labor market and region

Education and qualifications

To work as a hortonom, a solid academic education focusing on plant science, agricultural economics, and biology is required. The education often includes both theoretical and practical components, with internships and research projects as important elements. Many employers also seek experience from the industry or specific certifications depending on the role.

  • Formal degree: Hortonom program (master’s, 5 years)
  • Internship: Usually included in the education, typically at least one semester
  • Prerequisites: Basic eligibility + specific requirements in biology, chemistry, and mathematics
  • Certifications: Opportunities for specialized courses in, for example, plant protection or plant breeding
  • Tips for choosing: Interest in science, environment, and innovation is advantageous

The hortonom profession attracts individuals who want to combine scientific research with societal impact – many work on developing sustainable solutions for future food production. The role can also include international projects and collaboration with researchers worldwide.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensation

Hortonomer are often covered by collective agreements and can receive benefits such as occupational pension, wellness allowance, flexible working hours, and extra vacation weeks. Further opportunities include skills development, conference participation, and in some cases, bonus and performance-based compensation depending on employer and sector.

Competition and challenges

The job market for hortonomer is moderately competitive, but the number of available positions is limited because the profession is relatively narrow and specialized. Challenges may include high demands for both theoretical and practical expertise, as well as ongoing changes in sustainability issues and regulations. There is also some regional imbalance, with higher demand in large city regions and areas with extensive horticultural and agricultural activities. To remain competitive, continuous further education and adaptation to new technologies are required.

Tips for those who want to become a hortonom

To succeed as a hortonom, it is good to combine curiosity about science with analytical skills and an interest in sustainable development. Deepening knowledge in biology and chemistry early on provides a solid foundation, while practical experience from cultivation or laboratory work is valuable. The ability to collaborate and communicate with both experts and laypeople is important, especially in advisory roles. Flexibility and problem-solving skills are needed to handle industry changes and new research findings. Being proactive and staying updated on technology and environmental issues gives advantages in the job market. Finally, an international perspective, for example through exchange studies or projects, can open doors to exciting career paths.

Key facts about Hortonom

  • Education level: Master’s degree (5 years)
  • Work environment: Varies between laboratories, fieldwork, and office
  • Work role: Often advisory or research-oriented
  • Demand: 360 available jobs according to latest data
  • Special skills: Plant science, agricultural economics, and sustainability

Career paths and future outlook

After three to five years in the profession, a hortonom can advance to senior advisor, project manager, or specialist within, for example, plant breeding, sustainable food production, or environmental analysis. It is also common to work as a researcher or educator, both nationally and internationally. Forecasts from the Employment Service do not provide an exact future assessment for hortonomer, but the profession as specialists and advisors in agriculture has a stable job market with 360 available jobs registered. Those developing their skills in technology, digitization, and environmental issues have particularly good opportunities to participate in future initiatives within sustainable food production and climate-adapted agriculture.

Common questions about Hortonom

  • What does a Hortonom earn?
    - The average salary for a hortonom is 45 700 SEK per month.
  • How long is the education to become a hortonom?
    - The education typically spans five years at university level, equivalent to a master's degree.
  • What does a hortonom do in their daily work?
    - Job tasks vary but often include research, advising, and development within plant production and sustainable cultivation.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn on average 41 300 SEK while men earn 48 700 SEK per month.
  • Which workplaces hire hortonomer?
    - Common workplaces include government agencies, research institutes, consulting firms, and companies within the horticulture and food sectors.
  • What are the future prospects for hortonomer?
    - There are 360 available jobs in the profession, but an exact future forecast is lacking due to limited data.
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Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Horticulturist is 49300 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed officials with a unspecified education. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 46900 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Horticulturist is 34400 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Privately employed workers. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 40000 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 37800 kr 39500 kr
35-44 42900 kr 45700 kr
45-54 44300 kr 46600 kr
55-64 47200 kr 49700 kr
Snitt 85% 43400 kr 45700 kr
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 Horticulturist has the SSYK code 2134, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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