- Salary statistics
- Insect researcher salary
Insect researcher 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 Insect researcher
What does an insect researcher do? – Tasks and work environment
An insect researcher, also called an entomologist, studies insects to understand their behavior, ecology, development, and role in various ecosystems. Tasks may include field studies where insects are collected and identified, laboratory analysis of samples, as well as developing methods to control pest insects or conserve endangered species. The research can be fundamental or applied, for example within agriculture, forestry, or medicine. The work environment varies between laboratories, outdoor fieldwork, and office settings where results are analyzed and reports written. Many insect researchers are employed at universities, research institutes, or government agencies, but there are also opportunities in the private sector, such as environmental consulting firms.
Salary development over time
The profession of insect researcher has shown stable salary growth in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 37,500 SEK per month, which increased slightly to 39 200 SEK in 2023. During 2024, the average salary has risen to 42 600 SEK, corresponding to an increase of approximately 4.5 % over the period. This salary trend reflects a growing demand for expertise in biodiversity, sustainability, and invasive species control. The salary increase can also be linked to more insect researchers having advanced education, such as a PhD, which raises the average salaries within the field. Despite limited data, the trend is a cautious but steady rise, especially within research and consulting where specialized skills are highly valued.
Insect researcher salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 42 600 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 38,100 SEK/month
- Highest salary: 43,800 SEK/month
- Hourly wage: 236 SEK/hour
- Gender differences: Women earn 97% of what men do
- Men's average salary: 43 200 SEK/month
- Women's average salary: 42 000 SEK/month
- Regional differences: Data not available
Education and qualifications
An insect researcher typically has a solid education in biology with specialization in entomology. The path often involves university studies and advanced degrees, with research training being common for qualified positions. Practical experience from fieldwork and laboratory methods is important, and additional courses in statistics or ecology can be advantageous. Some employers also require international experience or participation in research projects.
- Bachelor's degree in biology: 3 years
- Master's program in entomology: 2 years
- Doctorate (PhD) in biology/entomology: 4 years
- Internships or fieldwork: Recommended during studies
- Courses in statistics, ecology, and genetics: Meritorious
- Prerequisite: Science-oriented upper secondary education
Many insect researchers contribute to important conservation efforts and participate in international projects, where their expertise in biodiversity can influence legislation and societal planning. The profession thus offers opportunities to make an impact far beyond the laboratory.
Common benefits and compensations
Benefits for insect researchers often include generous vacation policies, flexible working hours, and the possibility of remote work. Additional allowances may be provided for fieldwork, conference travel, and participation in international collaborations. Employees at universities and research institutes often have access to professional development and further training.
Competition and challenges
The competition for positions as an insect researcher is relatively high, especially for research-related roles at universities and government agencies. Since the profession is a narrower specialization within biology, advanced education and documented experience are often required to stand out. Limited research funding and project financing can affect the prospects for permanent positions. At the same time, the work involves challenges such as physically demanding fieldwork, complex data analysis, and sometimes uncertain employment conditions. For those with a genuine interest in the subject and willingness to pursue further education, there are good opportunities for development and specialization.
Tips for aspiring insect researchers
To succeed as an insect researcher, it is good to combine curiosity with analytical skills and a lot of patience. A strong interest in science and biology is fundamental, but it is also important to develop the ability to work independently during long field periods. Good teamwork skills are appreciated, especially in international projects and interdisciplinary collaborations. A careful and systematic work style facilitates both laboratory work and data collection. Being persistent and flexible helps when research projects change or work conditions shift. Finally, early engagement in research projects or internships is a great way to build networks and gain experience.
Key facts about insect researchers
- Education level: Often a PhD in biology or entomology
- Work environment: Combination of laboratory, fieldwork, and office
- Typical employment: Universities, research institutes, or government agencies
- Number of available jobs in the field: 143
- Demand: Limited, but specialized skills are sought after
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years in the profession, an insect researcher can advance to project manager, specialist, or research assistant within larger research projects. Opportunities also exist to work internationally or within environmental consulting firms. The forecasts from the Employment Service show no definitive assessment of the profession's future due to limited data, but the number of available jobs for biologists specializing in animals and plants is 143. Specialization, for example in ecological pest control or species conservation, can strengthen career opportunities. For those aiming for an academic career, options include becoming a lecturer or professor, while others choose to work within authorities or organizations focused on environmental and sustainability issues.
Common questions about insect researchers
- What does an insect researcher earn?
- The average salary for an insect researcher is 42 600 SEK per month. - How does one become an insect researcher?
- The typical route involves a bachelor's and master's degree in biology, often followed by a doctoral degree specializing in entomology. - Are there salary differences between men and women?
- Yes, women earn on average 42 000 SEK and men 43 200 SEK, which means women earn 97 % of men's salaries. - What is the job market like for insect researchers?
- The Employment Service does not provide a clear assessment for the profession, but there are 143 available jobs in the field. - What education is required?
- At least a master's degree in biology, often also a doctoral degree in entomology or a related area. - What is the highest salary for an insect researcher?
- The highest reported salary is 43,800 SEK per month, belonging to a man with research education working as a private employee. - What does an insect researcher do at work?
- Tasks include collecting and analyzing insects, laboratory work, report writing, and participating in research projects.
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 Insect researcher has the SSYK code 2132, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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