What does an Allergist do? – Tasks and Work Environment
An allergist is a specialist doctor focused on investigating, diagnosing, and treating allergic diseases and hypersensitivity reactions. The work involves patients of all ages and ranges from mild allergic symptoms to complex immunological conditions. Common tasks include conducting allergy assessments, interpreting laboratory tests, prescribing treatments, and monitoring patients’ health over time. Allergists often collaborate in teams with nurses, dietitians, and other specialists and primarily work at hospital specialist clinics or private practices. The work environment is clinically oriented and characterized by patient meetings, consultations, and continuous medical updates.
Salary Development Over Time
The salary for an allergist has shown a clear positive trend over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 86,400 SEK per month, increasing to 92 200 SEK in 2023. During 2024, the average has risen further to 93 600 SEK, which corresponds to an increase of approximately 8.3% over three years. This salary development reflects a continued strong demand for specialist doctors in allergology, while educational requirements and skill levels remain high. The market’s need for specialized expertise, especially in immunology and allergic diseases, has contributed to raising salaries and reducing gender pay gaps. Additionally, increased demands for further training and certification have further boosted salary growth within the profession.
Allergist Salary – Complete Overview
- Average salary: 93 600 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 84,600 SEK/month (male, private sector employee)
- Highest salary: 110,600 SEK/month (male, public sector, postgraduate education >3 years)
- Highest salary (female): 101,500 SEK/month
- Lowest salary (female): 91,200 SEK/month
- Hourly wage (average): 563 SEK
- Women earn: 98% of men’s salary
- Regional differences: Data unavailable for detailed regional comparison
Education and Qualifications
To work as an allergist, one must first obtain a medical degree, followed by internship and specialist training in internal medicine or pediatrics. Then, further specialization in allergology is required, often including additional training in immunology and related fields. The educational path is lengthy and demands high medical competence, analytical skills, and continuous professional development.
- Medical degree: 5.5 years (university)
- Internship (AT): 1.5–2 years
- Specialist training (ST) in relevant area: 5 years
- Advanced training in allergology: Courses and practical training, often 1–2 years
- Continuing education/certification: Mandatory for renewal of license and specialization
- Prerequisites: Basic eligibility for medical studies
Many allergists engage in research on new treatment methods and actively participate in developing guidelines for allergic diseases. This combination of clinical work and research makes the profession particularly dynamic and evolving.
Common Benefits and Allowances
Allergists are often offered benefits packages that may include pension schemes, extra vacation days, wellness allowances, and opportunities for professional development. Many also receive compensation for on-call duties, mentoring younger colleagues, and attending national and international conferences. The extent of benefits varies between public and private sectors.
Competition and Challenges
The competition for allergist positions is generally low given the high demand and limited number of specialists. Major challenges include the lengthy training pathway, high requirements for medical expertise, and rapidly evolving knowledge in immunology and allergy. Recruitment difficulties stem from challenges in finding the right skills, while workload is high and patient pressure constantly increases. The ability to handle complex cases and stay updated on new treatments is crucial for success and job satisfaction.
Tips for Aspiring Allergists
To succeed as an allergist, it’s beneficial to have strong analytical skills and a genuine interest in medical research, since the profession involves interpreting complex test results and following medical advances. Precision is vital in assessments and diagnosis, so developing systematic work habits during studies is advisable. Good communication skills facilitate collaboration with patients and colleagues, and empathy is especially valued during long-term patient interactions. Resilience and stress tolerance help during busy periods, while an interest in continuous learning makes it easier to stay current with new treatment methods. A proactive approach to collaboration and mentoring also provides valuable experience for future roles as a specialist.
Key Facts about Allergists
- Education level: Specialist doctor degree (at least 12 years)
- Work environment: Clinical work at hospitals and private clinics
- Demand: Very high, especially in the public sector
- Job prospects: Excellent opportunities over the next five years
- Gender pay gap: Women earn 98% of men’s salaries
Career Paths and Future Outlook
After three to five years as an allergist, there are opportunities to advance into leadership roles such as medical director, department head, or clinic chief. Many also engage in research, teaching, or participate in national expert groups within allergology and immunology. According to the Swedish Employment Agency’s forecast, job opportunities are very good nationwide, with increasing demand for specialist expertise in the field. The recruitment situation is complex, with difficulties in filling positions and many leaving the profession or working part-time. In total, there are 375 job openings in the specialist medical field, highlighting the strong job market for allergists in Sweden.
Common Questions about Allergists
- What does an Allergist earn?
- The average salary is 93 600 SEK per month, with variation depending on experience, employer, and sector.
- How does one become an Allergist?
- The path involves obtaining a medical degree, internship, specialist training, and further specialization in allergology.
- Are there gender pay differences for Allergists?
- Yes, women earn 98% of what men earn in the profession.
- What does the future hold for Allergists?
- Prognosis indicates very good job opportunities and increasing demand over the next five years.
- What are the highest and lowest salaries for an Allergist?
- The highest salary is 110,600 SEK and the lowest is 84,600 SEK per month, depending on sector and education level.
- What personal qualities are important for an Allergist?
- Analytical skills, precision, empathy, and communication skills are particularly important.
