What does a Kontrollveterinär do? – Tasks and work environment
A Kontrollveterinär plays a central role in ensuring animal health, food safety, and animal welfare across various operations. Tasks include supervision, inspections, and controls at slaughterhouses, farms, and facilities handling animals. The profession also involves investigating suspected infectious outbreaks, managing disease outbreaks, and advising authorities and industry stakeholders. The work is often field-based but also includes office and laboratory environments. The Kontrollveterinär collaborates with other professionals and bears significant responsibility for compliance with laws and regulations concerning animal husbandry and food production.
Salary development over time
Over the past three years, salaries for Kontrollveterinärer have shown positive growth. In 2022, the average salary was 48,500 SEK per month, increasing to 50 300 SEK in 2023. In 2024, the average salary has continued to rise to 53 000 SEK, representing a total increase of approximately 9.3% over the period. This salary increase can partly be explained by sustained high demand for veterinary expertise and increased requirements for specialization in animal health and food safety. The market is characterized by a certain shortage of experienced Kontrollveterinärer, further driving up salaries. It is clear that the importance and responsibility level of the profession are reflected in the positive salary development.
Kontrollveterinär salary – complete overview
- Average salary: 53 000 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 45,300 SEK/month (men), 48,900 SEK/month (women)
- Highest salary: 55,700 SEK/month (men), 54,400 SEK/month (women)
- Hourly wage: 319 SEK
- Gender differences: Women earn 95% of what men do (men: 55 300 SEK, women: 52 500 SEK)
- Regional differences: Data limited, but variations may occur depending on employer and location
Education and qualifications
To work as a Kontrollveterinär, a veterinary degree is required, often supplemented with specialized experience or further training in food safety, animal welfare, or disease control. The profession demands high levels of both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, and many employers also value good communication skills and experience in regulatory work. The entry path is clear, but there are opportunities for specialization and continuous professional development.
- Formal degree: Veterinary degree (5.5 years)
- Certifications: Specific courses in food safety, animal welfare, or disease control are often advantageous
- Practical training: Clinical practice during education and introduction with the employer
- Prerequisites: Science-oriented high school education and university eligibility
- Advice for choosing: Focus on specializations and internships related to control work or regulatory enforcement
Many Kontrollveterinärer work with urgent responses during outbreaks of infectious animal diseases, playing an important societal role during crises. The profession often involves collaboration across borders and with international organizations, providing good opportunities for networking and experience exchange.
Common benefits and compensations
Kontrollveterinärer often have access to benefits such as occupational pension, wellness contributions, paid further training, and sometimes extra vacation days. Many employers also offer flexible working hours, compensation for on-call duties, and allowances for emergency calls or on-call work. Travel allowances and access to company cars may also be available depending on the workplace.
Challenges and competition
The profession as a Kontrollveterinär is characterized by strong demand but also high requirements for competence and flexibility. Recruitment difficulties exist in finding sufficiently experienced candidates, while many in the field work part-time. Tasks demand precision, integrity, and the ability to make quick decisions under pressure. Challenges can also include irregular working hours and work under sometimes strenuous conditions, especially during urgent responses or major disease outbreaks.
Tips for aspiring Kontrollveterinär
To succeed as a Kontrollveterinär, it’s beneficial to combine analytical skills with a strong societal commitment. Attention to detail is crucial, especially in supervision and reporting, so developing an eye for details during education is wise. Good communication skills facilitate collaboration with colleagues and external stakeholders, which is important since the profession often involves regulatory enforcement. Flexibility and resilience are needed to handle urgent situations, so gaining experience from various work environments is valuable. Actively seeking internships and summer jobs in food control or disease prevention provides important insights into the profession. Lastly, an interest in continuing education and staying updated on laws and regulations within the field is advantageous.
Key facts about Kontrollveterinär
- Education level: Veterinary degree (5.5 years)
- Work environment: Fieldwork, offices, and laboratories
- Demand: Great opportunities for employment according to the Employment Service
- Special skills: Food safety, animal welfare, disease control
- Number of job openings: 375 within the veterinary profession
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years as a Kontrollveterinär, there are opportunities to advance to leadership roles within authorities, such as team leader, inspection manager, or specialist in disease control. Some choose to work with international organizations or policy development at the national level. According to the Employment Service’s forecast, job opportunities are substantial, with stable demand in the short and long term. However, a paradox exists: while it is difficult to find experienced candidates, many in the profession work part-time. The forecast indicates that the demand for Kontrollveterinärer is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years, providing a secure job market for new and experienced professionals.
Frequently asked questions about Kontrollveterinär
- What does a Kontrollveterinär earn per month?
- The average salary is 53 000 SEK per month, with variation depending on experience, gender, and employer.
- How does one become a Kontrollveterinär?
- The path goes through veterinary education (5.5 years) and often specific internships or courses in control operations.
- What are the duties of a Kontrollveterinär?
- Supervision, inspections, disease control, advice, and regulatory enforcement within animal health and food safety.
- Are there salary differences between men and women?
- Yes, women earn approximately 95% of what men do in the profession.
- What are the future prospects for Kontrollveterinärer?
- The Employment Service assesses that job opportunities are plentiful and demand is expected to remain unchanged.
- What are the highest and lowest salaries for Kontrollveterinärer?
- Highest salary is 55,700 SEK (men), 54,400 SEK (women); lowest salary is 45,300 SEK (men), 48,900 SEK (women).
