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- Veterinary salary
Veterinary salary
Latest available salary statistics are for 2025. Compare average pay, salary range and related job listings.
43 200 - 58 100 SEK / month
Women earn 95% of what men do.
Hälso- & sjukvård
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Salary progression Veterinary
What does a veterinarian do? – Tasks and work environment
A veterinarian works to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases in animals. Tasks range from urgent interventions in accidents to long-term health plans, vaccinations, and advice to pet owners. Many veterinarians are employed at animal clinics, animal hospitals, or within food control, but some also work in research and disease control. The work environment can vary greatly – from calm consultations at a small animal clinic to challenging emergency calls in rural areas, where both large and small animals require urgent attention.
Salary development over time
Veterinarian salaries have shown a clear upward trend over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 48,500 SEK per month, which increased to 53 000 SEK in 2023, corresponding to an increase of about 3.7%. Between 2023 and 2024, the salary rose further to 54 800 SEK, an increase of nearly 5.4%. This development can partly be explained by a continued high demand for veterinarians, especially in animal healthcare and food control. The shortage of trained veterinarians in certain regions and increased requirements for specialized skills also contribute to rising salary levels. Overall, the profession has experienced stable and positive salary growth, reflecting both labor market needs and the increasing complexity of the profession.
Veterinarian salary – complete overview
- Average salary: 54 800 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 45,300 SEK/month
- Highest salary: 55,700 SEK/month
- Hourly wage (average): 319 SEK
- Women: 54 200 SEK (95% of men's salary)
- Men: 57 100 SEK
- Regional differences: Salaries may vary between cities and rural areas, as well as between public and private sectors.
The veterinary profession often involves work outside of regular office hours, such as on-call duties evenings and weekends. Quick decisions may be required in stressful situations, especially during urgent health cases or accidents, which demands high stress tolerance and decision-making skills.
Education and qualifications
To work as a veterinarian, a long and specialized education is required, with the basic requirement being a veterinary degree from a university. The education includes both theoretical and practical components, with a focus on animal anatomy, physiology, and pathology. After graduation, a license issued by the Swedish Board of Agriculture (Jordbruksverket) is required to work independently in the profession.
- Veterinary program: University education, 5.5 years
- Licensing: Required and issued by the Swedish Board of Agriculture
- Internship: Included as a mandatory part of the education
- Prerequisites: Basic eligibility plus specific courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics
- Further education: Possible within areas such as surgery, veterinary medicine, and public health
Common benefits and compensations
In addition to the base salary, veterinarians are often offered benefits such as extra vacation days, wellness allowances, and opportunities for professional development. Benefits may also include pension contributions, on-call allowances, and sometimes bonuses for working unsociable hours. Public sector employment often involves collective agreements with favorable conditions.
Competition and challenges
The veterinary industry is characterized by high demand, which means there are good opportunities for employment nationwide. At the same time, there is a shortage of trained veterinarians in some regions, which can lead to recruitment difficulties and high workload. Many veterinarians work part-time, creating a paradox where there are vacant positions but difficulties in filling full-time roles. The work can be psychologically demanding, as it often involves handling animal suffering and dealing with worried pet owners. Additional challenges include the need for continuous continuing education and the rapid development of medical technology and legislation.
Tips for aspiring veterinarians
To succeed as a veterinarian, it is important to have a strong commitment to animal welfare and the ability to handle stressful situations. Good communication skills facilitate collaboration with colleagues and pet owners, while analytical thinking helps with diagnoses and treatments. Being thorough and methodical is crucial during examinations and medical decisions, while empathy and patience are essential when interacting with animals and their owners. Flexibility and readiness for irregular working hours are also advantageous, especially if working in emergency care. An interest in lifelong learning and further education is important to stay updated with new research and treatment methods. Finally, resilience and the ability to make quick decisions are qualities often valued in the profession.
Key facts about Veterinarian
- Education level: University education, 5.5 years
- Work environment: Animal clinics, animal hospitals, or fieldwork
- Demand: Great opportunities for employment nationwide
- Working hours: Shift work and on-call duties are common
- Number of job openings: 375 (May 2024)
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years in the profession, a veterinarian can specialize in areas such as surgery, diagnostic imaging, veterinary medicine, or public health. There are also opportunities to advance to leadership roles within animal hospitals, work as a consultant, or deepen research and teaching. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service's forecast, job prospects for veterinarians are good, and demand is expected to remain unchanged over five years. Recruitment difficulties occur, especially for full-time positions and in rural areas, which keeps the job market favorable for new graduates and experienced veterinarians.
Common questions about Veterinarian
- What does a Veterinarian earn?
- The average salary for a veterinarian is 54 800 SEK per month, but it can vary depending on experience, employer, and region. - How long is the education to become a veterinarian?
- The veterinary program is 5.5 years long at university and leads to a veterinary degree. - Are there salary differences between men and women?
- Yes, men earn an average of 57 100 SEK while women earn 54 200 SEK, which corresponds to 95% of men's salary. - What are the most common work environments for veterinarians?
- Most work at animal clinics, animal hospitals, or within food control, but some also work in research or in the field. - What are the future prospects for veterinarians?
- The outlook is good with great opportunities for employment nationwide, and demand is expected to remain unchanged over the next five years. - What are the highest and lowest salaries for veterinarians?
- The highest salary is 55,700 SEK per month and the lowest is 45,300 SEK per month, depending on gender, sector, and education level.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 42800 kr | 47500 kr | |
| 35-44 | 96% | 51200 kr | 54600 kr |
| 45-54 | 58200 kr | 61300 kr | |
| 55-64 | 57600 kr | 59700 kr | |
| Snitt | 95% | 51300 kr | 54800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 34300 kr | 46400 kr | |
| 25-34 | 100% | 39500 kr | 48000 kr |
| 35-44 | 93% | 46800 kr | 53400 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 52600 kr | 57700 kr |
| 55-64 | 102% | 53700 kr | 56500 kr |
| 65-68 | 111% | 58200 kr | 59500 kr |
| Snitt | 96% | 47600 kr | 53600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 34300 kr | 46400 kr | |
| 25-34 | 100% | 39500 kr | 48000 kr |
| 35-44 | 93% | 46800 kr | 53400 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 52600 kr | 57700 kr |
| 55-64 | 102% | 53700 kr | 56500 kr |
| 65-68 | 111% | 58200 kr | 59500 kr |
| Snitt | 96% | 47600 kr | 53600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 44000 kr | 47400 kr | |
| 35-44 | 52400 kr | 55000 kr | |
| 45-54 | 60500 kr | 62800 kr | |
| 55-64 | 60000 kr | 61600 kr | |
| Snitt | 94% | 52600 kr | 55200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 44000 kr | 47400 kr | |
| 35-44 | 52400 kr | 55000 kr | |
| 45-54 | 60500 kr | 62800 kr | |
| 55-64 | 60000 kr | 61600 kr | |
| Snitt | 94% | 52600 kr | 55200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 96% | 50900 kr | 56700 kr |
| Snitt | 95% | 53200 kr | 57100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 100% | 40800 kr | 47800 kr |
| 35-44 | 93% | 46700 kr | 56300 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 52300 kr | 58600 kr |
| 55-64 | 102% | 52600 kr | 55700 kr |
| 65-68 | 111% | 55600 kr | 56400 kr |
| Snitt | 96% | 49100 kr | 55200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 100% | 40800 kr | 47800 kr |
| 35-44 | 93% | 46700 kr | 56300 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 52300 kr | 58600 kr |
| 55-64 | 102% | 52600 kr | 55700 kr |
| 65-68 | 111% | 55600 kr | 56400 kr |
| Snitt | 96% | 49100 kr | 55200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 94% | 55200 kr | 58100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 94% | 55200 kr | 58100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 42600 kr | 47200 kr | |
| 35-44 | 96% | 51200 kr | 54300 kr |
| 45-54 | 57900 kr | 60900 kr | |
| 55-64 | 58000 kr | 60100 kr | |
| Snitt | 95% | 50900 kr | 54200 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 34300 kr | 46400 kr | |
| 25-34 | 100% | 39300 kr | 48000 kr |
| 35-44 | 93% | 46900 kr | 52500 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 52700 kr | 57500 kr |
| 55-64 | 102% | 54400 kr | 57000 kr |
| 65-68 | 111% | 60800 kr | 62600 kr |
| Snitt | 96% | 47200 kr | 53100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 34300 kr | 46400 kr | |
| 25-34 | 100% | 39300 kr | 48000 kr |
| 35-44 | 93% | 46900 kr | 52500 kr |
| 45-54 | 98% | 52700 kr | 57500 kr |
| 55-64 | 102% | 54400 kr | 57000 kr |
| 65-68 | 111% | 60800 kr | 62600 kr |
| Snitt | 96% | 47200 kr | 53100 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 43800 kr | 46900 kr | |
| 35-44 | 52300 kr | 54700 kr | |
| 45-54 | 59900 kr | 62200 kr | |
| Snitt | 94% | 52100 kr | 54600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 43800 kr | 46900 kr | |
| 35-44 | 52300 kr | 54700 kr | |
| 45-54 | 59900 kr | 62200 kr | |
| Snitt | 94% | 52100 kr | 54600 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 Veterinary has the SSYK code 2250, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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