- Salary statistics
- Hydrobiologist salary
Hydrobiologist salary
Latest available salary statistics are for 2025. Compare average pay, salary range and related job listings.
39 600 - 43 700 SEK / month
Women earn 97% of what men do.
Naturvetenskapligt arbete
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Salary progression Hydrobiologist
What does a hydrobiologist do? – Tasks and work environment
A hydrobiologist investigates and analyzes aquatic life in environments such as lakes, rivers, seas, and wetlands. Tasks include collecting water samples, analyzing plant and animal species, and evaluating environmental impacts from emissions or climate change. Hydrobiologists can work in the field, laboratories, or offices and often collaborate with researchers, authorities, and environmental consultants. The profession requires a strong interest in science and the ability to handle advanced equipment and large data sets.
Salary development over time
The hydrobiologist profession has experienced steady and positive salary growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 37,500 SEK per month, increasing the following year to 39 200 SEK, representing about a 0.8% increase. Between 2023 and 2024, there was a more noticeable salary increase from 39 200 to 42 600 SEK per month, approximately 3.7%. This trend can partly be explained by an increased demand for environmental and climate expertise and higher education requirements. The salary development indicates that the profession is becoming increasingly valued, especially given the rising societal focus on water quality and ecosystem services.
Hydrobiologist salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 42 600 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 38,100 SEK/month
- Highest salary: 43,800 SEK/month
- Hourly wage (average): 236 SEK
- Women: 42 000 SEK/month
- Men: 43 200 SEK/month
- Women earn: 97% of what men do
- Regional differences: No clear data, but variations occur depending on labor market and demand
Many hydrobiologists are involved in international research projects or environmental monitoring, where their work can contribute to global initiatives to preserve aquatic environments. This offers opportunities for exciting collaborations and exchanges of experience with colleagues worldwide.
Education and qualifications
To work as a hydrobiologist, a university degree in biology, ecology, or environmental science is usually required, often with specialization in aquatic ecology or limnology. Many employers also value practical experience from laboratories or fieldwork, as well as strong skills in analyzing and interpreting scientific data. Below are the most common educational paths and qualifications for the profession:
- Higher education: Bachelor's (3 years) or master's degree (5 years) in biology, ecology, or environmental science
- Specialization courses: Aquatic ecology, limnology, or marine biology
- Internship/trainee: Laboratory and fieldwork experience is often advantageous or mandatory
- Prerequisites: Basic eligibility and specific requirements in chemistry, mathematics, and biology
- Further education: Possibility of doctoral studies for advanced research positions
Common benefits and compensations
Hydrobiologists are often offered benefits such as wellness allowances, flexible working hours, and holiday pay. Opportunities for further training, participation in conferences, and sometimes equipment for fieldwork are common. Retirement and insurance schemes according to collective agreements are included in most employment contracts.
Competition and challenges
Competition for hydrobiologist positions can be intense, especially for research-oriented roles or positions with a high degree of independence. Since the profession often requires advanced education and experience in both biology and environmental analysis, continuous skill development is important. Challenges include insecure project-based employment, reliance on research funding, and the need to stay updated on new technology and regulations. The lack of specific forecasts for the profession means that the job market can change quickly, although the demand for environmental expertise is generally considered stable.
Tips for aspiring hydrobiologists
To succeed as a hydrobiologist, it’s good to combine strong analytical skills with a genuine interest in science. Being thorough and persistent during fieldwork is important, as workdays can often be long and challenging. Good communication skills facilitate report writing and collaboration within interdisciplinary teams. It’s also wise to seek internships early and build networks within the environmental sector. Curiosity and the willingness to continually learn about new methods and techniques make it easier to stay attractive on the job market, while a structured work approach helps with data collection and analysis. Finally, the ability to work independently is just as important as teamwork, especially in larger research projects or environmental assessments.
Key facts about hydrobiologists
- Education level: Bachelor's or master's degree in biology/environmental science
- Work environment: Varies between field, laboratory, and office
- Typical employment type: Project or permanent employment
- Available jobs in the profession: 143 (May 2024)
- Profession group: Plant and animal biologists
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years in the profession, a hydrobiologist can advance to specialist roles, project manager, or researcher within universities, authorities, or consulting firms. Opportunities for international assignments or work in environmental monitoring and water management also exist. According to the Employment Service, no specific forecast is made for hydrobiologists due to limited data, but within the broader group of plant and animal biologists, there is a stable number of job openings, and demand for water environment expertise is expected to remain in the long term. Further education, such as doctoral studies, can lead to more qualified and higher-paid positions.
Frequently asked questions about hydrobiologists
- What is the average salary of a hydrobiologist?
- The average salary for a hydrobiologist is 42 600 SEK per month. - What is the highest salary for a hydrobiologist?
- The highest reported salary is 43,800 SEK per month, for a man with doctoral education working as a private employee. - Are there salary differences between women and men?
- Yes, women earn on average 42 000 SEK and men 43 200 SEK, which means women earn 97% of men's salaries. - What education is required to become a hydrobiologist?
- Usually, a bachelor's or master's degree in biology, ecology, or environmental science is required. - What does the job market look like for hydrobiologists?
- There are about 143 job openings in the profession, but no specific forecast is provided by the Employment Service. - Which workplaces hire hydrobiologists?
- Common employers are universities, research institutes, authorities, and environmental consulting firms. - What tasks does a hydrobiologist perform?
- Tasks include water sampling, species identification, environmental analysis, and reporting to authorities and clients.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 37000 kr | 37400 kr | |
| 35-44 | 42200 kr | 42300 kr | |
| 45-54 | 45000 kr | 45200 kr | |
| 55-64 | 46000 kr | 46600 kr | |
| Snitt | 97% | 42300 kr | 42600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 100% | 38000 kr | 38300 kr |
| 35-44 | 99% | 40300 kr | 40500 kr |
| 45-54 | 101% | 42000 kr | 42100 kr |
| 55-64 | 104% | 42900 kr | 42900 kr |
| 65-68 | 89% | 44100 kr | 44200 kr |
| Snitt | 100% | 41200 kr | 41300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 100% | 38000 kr | 38300 kr |
| 35-44 | 99% | 40300 kr | 40500 kr |
| 45-54 | 101% | 42000 kr | 42100 kr |
| 55-64 | 104% | 42900 kr | 42900 kr |
| 65-68 | 89% | 44100 kr | 44200 kr |
| Snitt | 100% | 41200 kr | 41300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 43200 kr | 43600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 43200 kr | 43600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 97% | 42900 kr | 43200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 100% | 38100 kr | 38400 kr |
| 35-44 | 99% | 40600 kr | 40800 kr |
| 45-54 | 101% | 41800 kr | 41900 kr |
| 55-64 | 104% | 42100 kr | 42200 kr |
| 65-68 | 89% | 45700 kr | 45800 kr |
| Snitt | 100% | 41200 kr | 41400 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 100% | 38100 kr | 38400 kr |
| 35-44 | 99% | 40600 kr | 40800 kr |
| 45-54 | 101% | 41800 kr | 41900 kr |
| 55-64 | 104% | 42100 kr | 42200 kr |
| 65-68 | 89% | 45700 kr | 45800 kr |
| Snitt | 100% | 41200 kr | 41400 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 40700 kr | 40800 kr | |
| 45-54 | 45500 kr | 45800 kr | |
| Snitt | 97% | 41800 kr | 42000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 100% | 38000 kr | 38300 kr |
| 35-44 | 99% | 40100 kr | 40300 kr |
| 45-54 | 101% | 42200 kr | 42300 kr |
| 55-64 | 104% | 43700 kr | 43700 kr |
| 65-68 | 89% | 40900 kr | 40900 kr |
| Snitt | 100% | 41100 kr | 41200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 100% | 38000 kr | 38300 kr |
| 35-44 | 99% | 40100 kr | 40300 kr |
| 45-54 | 101% | 42200 kr | 42300 kr |
| 55-64 | 104% | 43700 kr | 43700 kr |
| 65-68 | 89% | 40900 kr | 40900 kr |
| Snitt | 100% | 41100 kr | 41200 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 Hydrobiologist has the SSYK code 2132, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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