What does a dog care worker earn?

The average salary is 28,218 SEK/month and the hourly rate is 169 SEK.

What education is required to become a dog care worker?

High school education in animal care is most common, sometimes supplemented with courses or certifications.

What is the work environment like?

The work is practical, often outdoors, and can be physically demanding.

Are there good job opportunities?

Demand is stable with about 360 available jobs, but competition is high, especially in larger cities.

Can I work part-time as a dog care worker?

Yes, part-time and hourly positions are common in the profession.

What personal qualities are important?

Patience, responsibility, service-mindedness, and good physical endurance are appreciated by employers.

Dog sitter

28 218 kr

Breeders and caretakers of pets

28 467 - 28 218 kr / month

Naturbruk

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Dog sitter

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What does a dog care worker do? – Tasks and work environment

A dog care worker is responsible for daily care, grooming, and well-being of dogs in various settings such as dog daycares, kennels, grooming salons, or boarding facilities. Tasks include walking, feeding, cleaning, coat care, and basic health checks. Customer contact, bookings, and advice to dog owners are often included. The work is carried out both indoors and outdoors and can be physically demanding, especially when handling larger or energetic dogs. The work environment demands responsibility, patience, and a good understanding of animal behavior and needs.

Salary development over time

The profession of dog care worker has shown steady salary growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 27,874 SEK per month. In 2023, it increased slightly to 28 101 SEK, representing an increase of about 0.8%. In 2024, the average salary continued to rise, albeit slowly, to 28 218 SEK, which is a further increase of 0.4%. The total change over the three-year period is just over 1.2%. This slow but stable increase is explained by the sector’s high competition, where many employers are small businesses or private individuals with limited salary budgets. However, demand for dog care workers remains relatively constant, contributing to some job security in salary development.

Dog care worker salary – complete overview

Average salary: 28 218 SEK/month
Lowest/Highest salary: Data not available
Hourly rate: 169 SEK/hour (based on 166 hours/month)
Gender differences: Data not available
Regional differences: Data not available

Education and qualifications

To work as a dog care worker, a formal university degree is usually not required, but a high school education with a focus on animal care is a common pathway into the profession. Employers value experience working with dogs, practical skills, and a genuine interest in animal welfare. Many supplement their skills with shorter courses or certifications in areas such as dog grooming, behavior, or first aid for animals.

High school education: Animal care programs, 3 years
Certifications: Courses in dog grooming, behavior, or veterinary care
Internship: Work-based learning during training is common
Prerequisites: Interest and experience with dogs
Tips for choosing: Practical experience is highly valued during hiring

Many dog care workers develop specialized skills, such as dog massage, health and wellness, or working with specific breeds, which can increase opportunities for niche services or running their own business.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Dog care workers are often offered benefits such as work clothing, wellness allowances, and sometimes discounts on pet products or services. Some employers provide access to training or seminars on animal health. Additional compensation beyond base salary is rare in the industry, as many workplaces are small and have limited financial resources.

Competition and challenges

The market for dog care workers is competitive, especially in metropolitan areas where many are attracted to the profession due to increased interest in pets. At the same time, demand remains relatively constant, balancing the number of available positions. Challenges include irregular working hours, physically demanding tasks, and requirements for flexibility and stress tolerance when handling various dog breeds. Salary levels are affected by many employers being small businesses with limited room for salary growth. Competition for permanent positions can be tough, but those willing to work flexibly and build a good reputation have good chances of employment.

Tips for those who want to become a dog care worker

To succeed as a dog care worker, it’s good to combine a strong interest in animals with practical skills and patience. Good handling skills with dogs are essential, so gaining experience through internships or summer jobs in the industry provides valuable insights. Being service-minded and able to interact professionally with both animals and their owners is important, as customer contact is often central. Initiative and independence are appreciated by employers, especially in smaller operations where many tasks must be handled independently. Physical endurance is also an advantage, as the work is often mobile and sometimes heavy. Finally, an interest in further education and new developments in animal care benefits both your personal growth and the quality of your workplace.

Key facts about Dog Care Workers

Education level: High school education is most common
Work environment: Practical, often outdoors, and physically demanding
Work arrangement: Commonly hourly and part-time positions
Demand: About 360 available jobs in Sweden (2024)
Special skills: Dog grooming, behavior, and animal health

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, a dog care worker can move into more specialized roles, such as dog groomer, trainer, or start their own business in grooming or boarding. Further education in veterinary care or animal-assisted therapy is also an option. The Employment Service predicts that demand for dog care workers will remain relatively stable in the coming years, driven by sustained interest in pets and increased demand for qualified animal care. Competition for permanent positions remains high, especially in larger cities, but flexibility and specialized skills can improve career opportunities.

Frequently asked questions about Dog Care Workers

What does a dog care worker earn?
- The average salary is 28 218 SEK/month and the hourly rate is 169 SEK.
What education is required to become a dog care worker?
- High school education in animal care is most common, sometimes supplemented with courses or certifications.
What is the work environment like?
- Practical, often outdoors, and physically demanding.
Are there good job opportunities?
- Demand is stable with about 360 available jobs but competition is high, especially in larger cities.
Can I work part-time as a dog care worker?
- Yes, part-time and hourly positions are common in the profession.
What personal qualities are important?
- Patience, responsibility, service-mindedness, and good physical endurance are valued by employers.

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-11 18:16:13

Occupation

Salary distributed by age and sector

* Empty columns indicate that the statistical data was insufficient to allow for a statistically significant conclusion.

Salary per sector

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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 Dog sitter has the SSYK code 6122, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

How much does a Dog sitter make