Child psychiatrist

What does a child psychiatrist do? – Tasks and work environment

A child psychiatrist is a specialist doctor focusing on diagnosing, treating, and preventing mental disorders in children and adolescents. Tasks include assessing mental health, conducting investigations, prescribing medication, crisis intervention, and collaborating with schools and social services. The work often involves leading multidisciplinary teams, supervising other healthcare staff, and developing care routines. The work environment is typically clinic-based, often at child and adolescent psychiatric clinics, but can also include consulting within schools or social services. The profession requires good stress management skills and the ability to handle complex situations where the child's and family's needs are central.

Salary development over time

The salary for child psychiatrists has shown a steady and clearly upward trend over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 86,400 SEK per month, increasing to 92 200 in 2023, and now reaching 93 600 in 2024. The total increase amounts to approximately 8.3% over the period, which is higher than the general salary development for many other healthcare professions. Factors driving the salary increase include continued high demand for specialist doctors in child and adolescent psychiatry, increased requirements for specialization, and a shortage of experienced child psychiatrists in several regions. Employers have also had to offer higher salaries to recruit and retain competent staff in this demanding specialty.

Child psychiatrist salary – complete overview

• Average salary: 93 600 SEK/month
• Lowest salary: 84,600 SEK/month (men), 91,200 SEK/month (women)
• Highest salary: 110,600 SEK/month (men), 101,500 SEK/month (women)
• Hourly wage: 563 SEK
• Gender pay gap: Women earn 98 % of what men do (92 900 SEK vs. 94 300 SEK/month)
• Regional differences: Salary levels may vary between regions, with higher levels in metropolitan areas and regions with greater recruitment needs.

Education and qualifications

To work as a child psychiatrist, a long and specialized educational path is required. It begins with a medical degree, followed by general internship, specialist training in psychiatry, and then a subspecialization in child and adolescent psychiatry. In addition to formal requirements, ongoing further education, supervision, and participation in courses are common to stay updated on new treatment methods and diagnostic criteria.

• Medical degree: 5.5 years (basic medical education)
• General internship (AT): approximately 1.5 years
• Specialist training (ST) in psychiatry: approximately 5 years
• Subspecialization in child and adolescent psychiatry: 1–2 years beyond ST
• Continuing education: Ongoing courses, supervision, and conferences
• Prerequisites: Completed upper secondary education with a science focus

Common benefits and compensations

Child psychiatrists are often offered extensive benefits beyond base salary, such as occupational pension, extra vacation days, wellness allowances, and opportunities for professional development. Irregular working hours can be compensated with overtime pay, and some employers also provide support for further training or supervision. Many workplaces also offer access to occupational health services and insurance coverage.

Competition and challenges

The competition for positions as a child psychiatrist is generally low due to high demand and a shortage of specialist competence in the field. At the same time, the profession involves several challenges, including high demands for managing complex and sometimes acute situations, workload, and working with children in vulnerable life situations. Recruitment difficulties are common, especially in rural areas or smaller regions, which can lead to high workload for existing staff. Staying updated on new treatment methods and legislation also requires continuous professional development. Overall, the profession demands both deep medical knowledge and strong psychosocial skills.

Tips for aspiring child psychiatrists

To succeed as a child psychiatrist, it is beneficial to have a genuine interest in children's and adolescents' mental health and development. Being attentive and empathetic facilitates interactions with patients and their families, while analytical skills help in making accurate diagnoses and designing appropriate treatment plans. The ability to collaborate effectively with other professionals, such as psychologists and social workers, is crucial for creating comprehensive solutions for patients. Good stress tolerance is needed to handle both acute situations and long assessment processes. It is also valuable to be pedagogical, as much of the work involves explaining complex issues to children and adults. Flexibility and curiosity help adapt to new research findings and changes in the field. Finally, resilience is important, as the educational path is long and the work often emotionally demanding.

Key facts about Child Psychiatrist

• Education level: Licensed doctor with specialist competence in child and adolescent psychiatry
• Work environment: Clinic-based, often in teams with other healthcare professionals
• Demand: Very high, especially in cities and regions with recruitment challenges
• Work mode: Full-time, often with flexible working hours
• Special expertise: Mental health issues in children and adolescents, team work, interdisciplinary collaboration

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a child psychiatrist, there are good opportunities to take on greater responsibilities, such as medical management, supervising colleagues, or leading a child and adolescent psychiatric clinic. It is also common to engage in research or teaching, or to further specialize in areas like neuropsychiatric conditions. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service forecast, job opportunities are very large, and demand is expected to increase further over the next five years. Despite being part of a larger group of specialist doctors, statistics show that there are 375 available jobs in this category, reflecting the high demand and positive future outlook for child psychiatrists in Sweden.

Frequently asked questions about Child Psychiatrist

• What does a child psychiatrist earn?
  - The average salary is 93 600 SEK per month, with variations depending on experience, region, and gender.
• How does one become a child psychiatrist?
  - First, a medical degree, then general internship, specialist training in psychiatry, and a subspecialization in child and adolescent psychiatry.
• What is the job market like for child psychiatrists?
  - Demand is very high, with good opportunities for employment now and over the next five years according to the Swedish Public Employment Service forecasts.
• What personal qualities are important as a child psychiatrist?
  - Empathy, resilience to stress, analytical skills, and good collaboration skills are central qualities in the profession.
• Are there gender differences in salary for child psychiatrists?
  - Yes, women earn on average 98 % of what men do in the profession.
• How high can a child's psychiatrist's salary become?
  - The highest reported salary is 110,600 SEK for men and 101,500 SEK for women.
• What are the biggest challenges in the profession?
  - High workload, emotionally demanding cases, and the need to collaborate with multiple actors outside healthcare.