Image that illustrates Chicken caretaker

Chicken caretaker

28 400 kr

Breeders and caretakers of farm animals

27 000 - 32 500 kr / month

Women earn 94% of what men do.

Naturbruk

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Chicken caretaker

Average salary 28 400 kr
Males 29 700 kr
Females 27 800 kr

What does a Chicken Butcher do? – Tasks and work environment

A chicken butcher is responsible for the daily care of chickens on a farm or in larger breeding facilities. The tasks include feeding, supervision, cleaning of stables, and monitoring the health and well-being of the animals. An important part of the work is to oversee growth, prevent diseases, and ensure that the animals have the right environment to grow and develop. The work environment is generally physically demanding and often involves early mornings, weekends, and sometimes adverse weather conditions, as animal needs take precedence over fixed working hours.

Salary development over time

The salary for chicken butchers has shown a relatively stable trend over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 27,200 SEK, increasing the following year to 28 400 SEK. Between 2023 and 2024, the salary has remained unchanged at 28 400 SEK. The total increase from 2022 to 2024 is approximately 4.4%. This development reflects a certain increased demand for labor in agriculture, but also that wage increases in the sector are limited by industry margins and competition. Despite stability in the average salary, there are differences between genders as well as between employers and regions.

Chicken Butcher salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 28 400 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 27,000 SEK/month (female, private sector, high school education, 3 years)
  • Highest salary: 32,500 SEK/month (female, public sector, high school education, up to 2 years)
  • Hourly wage: 171 SEK/hour
  • Women: 27 800 SEK/month (94% of men's salary)
  • Men: 29,700 SEK/month
  • Regional differences: Salary levels vary depending on employer and region, but the average is around 28 400 SEK/month

Education and qualifications

To work as a chicken butcher, a high school education in natural resource management with a focus on animal care or agriculture is usually required. Many employers value practical experience, and completing courses in animal husbandry or food safety can be advantageous. It is common to start as a trainee or intern to gain insight into the daily work and tasks of the profession.

  • High school education: Natural resource management program, specializing in animals or agriculture (3 years)
  • Certifications: Food hygiene and animal protection can be advantageous
  • Internship: Often mandatory, providing important work experience
  • Prerequisites: Basic eligibility for high school
  • Tips: Experience with animal husbandry or summer jobs on farms facilitate entry into the profession

Working as a chicken butcher requires great attention to detail and a genuine interest in animals, as their health and growth are directly affected by daily work. Many who enjoy the profession appreciate the opportunity to work close to animals and nature, as well as the variation that comes with different seasons of the year. It is also a profession where the effort quickly results in visible outcomes in the form of healthy and well-being animals.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Chicken butchers are often offered perks such as wellness allowances, work clothes, and sometimes subsidized lunches. Several employers provide collective agreements, which include insurance and occupational pensions. In some cases, access to staff housing on the farm may be available, especially at larger agricultural enterprises.

Competition and challenges

The profession of chicken butcher is characterized by a paradoxical labor market: there are many vacant positions, but recruitment difficulties can arise because many choose to work part-time or move to other industries. The tasks are physically demanding and often involve irregular hours, which may deter some applicants. Competition for the best positions can be higher in regions with larger production, while the labor market is more accessible in rural areas. Another challenge is staying updated on new rules and routines related to animal husbandry and food safety.

Tips for those wanting to become a Chicken Butcher

To succeed as a chicken butcher, it is good to have a strong interest in animals and patience, as the work involves daily contact with animals and sometimes long working days. Attention to detail is crucial, especially when feeding and checking the animals' health, since small mistakes can have significant consequences. Physical endurance is helpful because the work is often heavy and requires strength even during stressful periods. Teamwork skills are necessary since the work is often done in teams, and clear communication with colleagues is essential for maintaining animal welfare. Finally, flexibility is valuable, as tasks and hours can vary depending on the season and business needs.

Key facts about Chicken Butchers

  • Education level: High school, natural resource management (3 years)
  • Work environment: Physical work in stables and on farms, often irregular hours
  • Demand: Great opportunities nationwide, 360 job openings
  • Typical employment: Full-time or part-time, often seasonal
  • Gender differences: Women earn 94% of what men do within the profession

Career paths and future prospects

After a few years of experience, opportunities exist to advance to supervisory roles, such as stable manager or production manager within larger agricultural companies. Specialization in animal health, breeding, or quality control can also be relevant. According to forecasts from the Employment Service, the opportunities for employment in the profession are large and expected to remain unchanged over the next five years. However, the recruitment situation is characterized by many working part-time, creating a paradoxical situation with both available positions and a shortage of applicants for full-time roles. If further education interests you, pathways to animal caretakers in other areas or farm managers are available.

Frequently asked questions about Chicken Butchers

  • What does a Chicken Butcher earn?
    - The average salary is 28 400 SEK/month, but it varies depending on experience and employer.
  • How to become a Chicken Butcher?
    - A high school education in natural resource management, preferably with a focus on animals, is the most common path.
  • Are there job opportunities for Chicken Butchers?
    - Yes, there are great opportunities for employment and 360 job openings in the profession right now.
  • What are the working hours for a Chicken Butcher?
    - Working hours are often irregular and may include weekends and early mornings.
  • Is there a significant difference between women's and men's salaries?
    - Women earn approximately 94% of what men do within the profession.
  • What education is required?
    - A high school education in natural resource management is most common, but practical experience is also highly valued.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Chicken caretaker is 32500 kr. This salary belongs to a woman working in the Public sector with a upper secondary education, maximum 2 years. The highest salary for a man in this profession is 31900 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Chicken caretaker is 27000 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Privately employed officials. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 29700 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 25500 kr 27200 kr
25-34 26600 kr 28000 kr
35-44 29600 kr 30300 kr
45-54 27600 kr 27900 kr
55-64 30600 kr 31300 kr
Snitt 94% 27400 kr 28400 kr
Salary per sector
Salary based on education
Register an account before you can comment

To write a comment you need to create an account.


Default Avatar

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 Chicken caretaker has the SSYK code 6121, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

Search salary statistics for occupation
8000 kr
<-|->
90000 kr
Vacant jobs
Similar occupations
Latest posts
  • Public Opinion - Opinion Poll Status Novus: Unchanged Support – Social Democrats Largest
    Wed, 19 Nov 2025 - 08:35
  • National Debt - The National Debt – Level, Development, and Significance for Sweden
    Wed, 8 Oct 2025 - 08:00
Salary, Taxes, and Fees
Net salary 31 377
Net salary
31 377
Taxes
11 738
Fees
12 129

With our Swedish tax calculator, you can easily calculate your after-tax income (net salary).

Swedish Church Member

* Updated with 2025 taxes