- Salary statistics
- Ornithologist salary
Ornithologist 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 Ornithologist
What does an ornithologist do? – Tasks and work environment
Ornithologists study birds, their behaviors, ecology, and populations. Tasks range from field studies and data collection in nature to laboratory work, analysis of collected material, and report writing. Many ornithologists work at universities, research institutes, government agencies, or non-profit organizations, contributing to environmental monitoring, conservation, and educational efforts. The work environment can vary greatly – some periods are spent outdoors in various weather conditions, while others involve analysis and administrative tasks in offices or laboratories.
Salary development over time
Over the past three years, the salary of an ornithologist has increased from 37,500 SEK in 2022 to 39 200 SEK in 2023 and further to 42 600 SEK in 2024. This corresponds to a salary increase of about 4.5% over the period. The salary development has been stable and shows a slightly positive trend, reflecting continued demand for expertise in the field and some adjustment for inflation. The relatively modest increase can be explained by the fact that the profession belongs to a narrower specialization within biology, and many positions are within public or research-based sectors where salary budgets are often limited. At the same time, the trend indicates that employers increasingly value specialist competence and experience, especially as demands for environmental monitoring and biodiversity grow.
Ornithologist salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 42 600 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 38,100 SEK/month
- Highest salary: 43,800 SEK/month (private sector male with doctoral degree)
- Highest salary for women: 42,800 SEK/month
- Hourly wage: 236 SEK
- Women earn: 42 000 SEK/month (97% of men's salary)
- Men earn: 43 200 SEK/month
- Regional differences: Data currently unavailable
Education and qualifications
To work as an ornithologist, a university degree in biology or ecology is usually required, often with specialization in zoology or nature conservation. Many professionals also hold a doctoral degree, especially in research and academia. Practical experience in fieldwork and bird inventorying is highly meritorious and sometimes a requirement, along with good knowledge of statistics and data processing.
- Bachelor's degree in biology: 3 years
- Master's or doctoral studies: 2–5 additional years, often focusing on ecology or zoology
- Field practice: Practical experience from inventories and bird studies
- Courses in statistics and GIS: Common and often advantageous
- Involvement in non-profit projects: For example, bird associations or ringing programs
Many ornithologists have the opportunity to travel to remote locations to study bird life in unique environments, making the profession particularly adventurous and varied. An international network and collaboration are common, especially regarding threatened species and global environmental monitoring. Fieldwork often requires great flexibility and the ability to quickly adapt to changing conditions.
Common benefits and compensations
Typical benefits for ornithologists include wellness allowances, opportunities for further training, flexible working hours, and sometimes access to research resources or field equipment. Some employers also offer extra vacation days and remote work options during periods dominated by analysis and writing. Travel for work, both nationally and internationally, may occur, with costs often covered by the employer.
Challenges and competition
The market for ornithologists is relatively limited in Sweden, as the profession belongs to a narrow specialization within natural sciences. Many positions are advertised within research projects, government agencies, or non-profit organizations, leading to strong competition for permanent employment. The biggest challenge is often securing long-term funding for projects or research positions, especially outside academia. However, opportunities exist for those who are flexible and willing to work internationally or in related fields such as conservation, environmental monitoring, and education. Technological developments increase demands for digital skills and expertise in data analysis and GIS. Success requires both deep subject knowledge and the ability to communicate research findings to the public and decision-makers.
Tips for aspiring ornithologists
To succeed as an ornithologist, it is beneficial to combine strong scientific curiosity with perseverance and practical problem-solving skills. Engaging early in bird associations and initiating field studies provide valuable practical experience and networks. An analytical mindset is important for interpreting data and drawing conclusions about changes in bird populations, while good teamwork skills facilitate work in projects and interdisciplinary teams. Developing digital skills, especially in statistics and GIS, increases opportunities for qualified assignments. Flexibility and adaptability are crucial, as the work environment often shifts between fieldwork, offices, and different geographic areas. Lastly, being communicative and able to convey research results to the public and policymakers is often a central part of the profession.
Key facts about Ornithologists
- Educational level: University degree, often master's or doctoral
- Typical work environment: Combination of fieldwork and office/laboratory
- Job market: Approximately 143 available positions within the profession
- Gender equality: Women earn 97% of men's salaries
- Field of work: Natural sciences, plant and animal biologists
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years in the profession, an ornithologist can advance to project manager, research coordinator, or specialist within conservation agencies. Other possible career paths include consultancy, international research projects, or educational roles at universities and colleges. The employment agency's forecast for the natural sciences field indicates insufficient data for a detailed assessment of future demand for ornithologists. However, the number of available positions suggests some mobility and opportunities, especially for those who are flexible and possess broad competence in biology, environmental monitoring, and data analysis. Specialization and international experience can enhance competitiveness in the job market.
Frequently asked questions about Ornithologists
- What is the average salary of an ornithologist?
- An ornithologist has an average salary of 42 600 SEK per month. - What education is required to become an ornithologist?
- Typically, a university degree in biology, often with a master's or doctoral qualification in zoology or ecology. - Are there salary differences between men and women?
- Yes, women earn on average 42 000 SEK while men earn 43 200 SEK, which means women earn 97% of men's salaries. - What is the job market like for ornithologists?
- There are about 143 available jobs within the profession, but competition can be fierce as the field is narrow. - What are the responsibilities of an ornithologist?
- They work with field studies, data collection, analysis, reporting, and often environmental monitoring or conservation. - What is the highest salary for an ornithologist?
- The highest salary is 43,800 SEK and belongs to a male with a doctoral degree working as a private employee. - What personal qualities are important for the profession?
- Analytical skills, endurance, flexibility, and good communication skills are especially important.
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 Ornithologist has the SSYK code 2132, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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