How much does a Veterinary make

  1. Salary statistics
  2. Veterinary
Image that illustrates Veterinary

Veterinary

53 000 kr

Veterinarians

45 300 - 55 700 kr / month

Women earn 95% of what men do.

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What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Veterinary

Average salary 53 000 kr
Males 55 300 kr
Females 52 500 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 31 Vacant jobs ->

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 50 300 SEK in 2023, corresponding to an increase of about 3.7%. Between 2023 and 2024, the salary rose further to 53 000 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: 53 000 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 45,300 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 55,700 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage (average): 319 SEK
  • Women: 52 500 SEK (95% of men's salary)
  • Men: 55 300 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.

– statsskuld.se

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 53 000 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 55 300 SEK while women earn 52 500 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.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-13 16:02:14

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Veterinary is 55700 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Public sector with a post-secondary education, 3 years or more. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 54400 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Veterinary is 45300 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed workers. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 48900 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 93% 41600 kr 46200 kr
35-44 94% 49800 kr 52500 kr
45-54 58400 kr 61300 kr
55-64 55300 kr 56600 kr
Snitt 95% 49900 kr 53000 kr
* Empty columns indicate that the statistical data was insufficient to allow for a statistically significant conclusion.
Salary per sector
Salary based on education
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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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