- Salary statistics
- Cancer Specialist salary
Cancer Specialist salary
Latest available salary statistics are for 2025. Compare average pay, salary range and related job listings.
89 800 - 117 800 SEK / month
Women earn 99% of what men do.
Hälso- & sjukvård
Related tools
Salary progression Cancer Specialist
What does a cancer specialist do? – Tasks and work environment
A cancer specialist, also called an oncologist, works with diagnosing, treating, and following up with patients affected by various types of cancer. The work involves assessing test results, discussing treatment options with patients and colleagues, and participating in multidisciplinary teams where several healthcare professionals collaborate on the patient's care plan. Cancer specialists often follow patients over long periods and are responsible for medical treatments such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy, as well as managing side effects and psychosocial needs. The work environment is often hospital-based, involving both outpatient clinics and inpatient wards, requiring high medical competence and excellent communication skills.
Salary development over time
The salary for a cancer specialist has increased steadily over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 86,400 SEK per month, rising to 93 600 SEK in 2023. The latest statistics for 2024 show an average salary of 98 000 SEK per month. This represents a total salary increase of approximately 8.3% over the three-year period. The strong salary growth can be explained by high demand for oncology specialists, increased requirements for continuing education, and a generally competitive healthcare labor market. Regional salary differences are relatively small but may exist between major cities and smaller regions, where competition for specialist skills is greatest in larger urban areas.
Many cancer specialists engage in clinical research or teaching alongside patient care. This offers opportunities to contribute to the development of new treatments and to mentor future doctors, which can be both stimulating and enriching for the professional role.
Cancer specialist salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 98 000 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 rate: 563 SEK
- Gender differences: Women earn 99% of what men do (98 700 SEK/month for men, 97 300 SEK/month for women)
- Regional differences: Small variations, but higher salaries occur in metropolitan regions
Education and qualifications
The path to becoming a cancer specialist is long and requires several years of university studies plus clinical postgraduate training. First, a medical degree, followed by internship (AT) and licensure, is needed. Then, a specialist training in oncology, which includes both theoretical and practical supervised training, must be completed. Continuing education and participation in international courses are common to stay updated within the field.
- Medical degree: 5.5 years of university studies
- Internship (AT): approximately 1.5–2 years
- Specialist training (ST) in oncology: approximately 5 years
- Qualifications: Proficiency in Swedish, medical licensure
- Meritorious: Participation in research, international exchanges, and further training
Common benefits and compensations
Cancer specialists are often offered a range of benefits beyond the base salary, such as extra vacation weeks, opportunities for professional development and further training, as well as occupational pension and health insurance. Work may also include on-call and standby allowances, which can further influence total income. Some regions also offer wellness stipends and subsidized occupational health services.
Competition and challenges
The profession of a cancer specialist is characterized by high competition for positions in attractive metropolitan regions, but there is also a nationwide shortage of oncology specialists. Challenges include not only the medical complexity but also managing difficult conversations and long-term patient relationships. The rapid development of cancer treatments requires continuous professional development and adaptability. Workload is often high, demanding both efficiency and empathy. Many also face difficulties balancing clinical work with research or administrative tasks.
Tips for those aspiring to become a cancer specialist
To succeed as a cancer specialist, it is beneficial to combine a strong interest in medical science with high empathy and stress resilience. It is recommended to seek internships or summer jobs in oncology during medical studies to gain early experience. Precision and analytical skills are crucial for diagnostics and treatment planning, and ongoing education through courses and conferences is important. Good communication skills facilitate teamwork in multidisciplinary settings and interactions with patients and relatives. Finally, endurance and the ability to handle emotionally demanding situations are key qualities for thriving and developing within this specialty.
Key facts about Cancer Specialist
- Education level: Medical degree + specialist training (total approx. 12 years)
- Work environment: Hospitals and oncology clinics
- Demand: Very high, excellent job opportunities nationwide
- Number of job openings: 375 within the specialist doctor profession
- Common employment forms: Full-time, some part-time and research positions
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years as a cancer specialist, there are opportunities to specialize further in specific cancer types, assume responsibilities as medical management leaders, or move into research and teaching roles within university healthcare. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service's forecasts, demand for specialist doctors, including cancer specialists, is very high and expected to increase over the next five years. Recruitment difficulties mean there are good opportunities for career development and specialization. International careers and participation in research projects are also common options for those seeking to broaden their professional scope.
Common questions about cancer specialists
- What does a cancer specialist earn?
- The average salary for a cancer specialist is 98 000 SEK per month, with variations depending on experience, region, and employer. - How does one become a cancer specialist?
- First, a medical degree, licensure, and internship (AT) are required, followed by approximately five years of specialist training in oncology. - Are there gender differences in salary for cancer specialists?
- Yes, women earn on average 99% of what men do within the profession. - What is the job market like for cancer specialists?
- The demand is very high nationwide, with 375 available positions according to current statistics. - What are the most common tasks for a cancer specialist?
- Diagnostics, treatment, follow-up of cancer patients, and participation in multidisciplinary team meetings. - What education is required to work as a cancer specialist?
- Medical degree, licensure, internship (AT), and five years of specialist training in oncology. - What is the highest and lowest salary for a cancer specialist?
- The highest salary is 110,600 SEK and the lowest 84,600 SEK per month, depending on gender, sector, and education level.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 97% | 80100 kr | 84700 kr |
| 35-44 | 101% | 85700 kr | 90300 kr |
| 45-54 | 97% | 96600 kr | 101800 kr |
| 55-64 | 100% | 98300 kr | 102700 kr |
| 65-68 | 97% | 103100 kr | 105900 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 93300 kr | 98000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 97% | 80400 kr | 85800 kr |
| 35-44 | 97% | 85900 kr | 91400 kr |
| 45-54 | 95% | 94500 kr | 100700 kr |
| 55-64 | 96% | 99500 kr | 104800 kr |
| 65-68 | 95% | 103400 kr | 106700 kr |
| Snitt | 95% | 92900 kr | 98500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 94% | 90400 kr | 91800 kr |
| 45-54 | 91% | 96300 kr | 97300 kr |
| 55-64 | 91% | 99500 kr | 103200 kr |
| 65-68 | 73% | 125700 kr | 128000 kr |
| Snitt | 87% | 97800 kr | 99800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 97% | 80400 kr | 85900 kr |
| 35-44 | 97% | 85800 kr | 91400 kr |
| 45-54 | 96% | 94500 kr | 100700 kr |
| 55-64 | 97% | 99500 kr | 104800 kr |
| 65-68 | 95% | 102900 kr | 106200 kr |
| Snitt | 96% | 92900 kr | 98500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 119% | 84900 kr | 85600 kr |
| 45-54 | 101% | 106600 kr | 107300 kr |
| 55-64 | 93200 kr | 94100 kr | |
| Snitt | 113% | 94900 kr | 95600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 119% | 84900 kr | 85600 kr |
| 45-54 | 101% | 106600 kr | 107300 kr |
| 55-64 | 93200 kr | 94100 kr | |
| Snitt | 113% | 94900 kr | 95600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 97% | 80600 kr | 85900 kr |
| 35-44 | 101% | 84600 kr | 89900 kr |
| 45-54 | 97% | 96700 kr | 103600 kr |
| 55-64 | 100% | 97500 kr | 102900 kr |
| 65-68 | 97% | 104200 kr | 107300 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 93100 kr | 98700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 97% | 80700 kr | 86900 kr |
| 35-44 | 97% | 86400 kr | 93200 kr |
| 45-54 | 95% | 95300 kr | 103200 kr |
| 55-64 | 96% | 100100 kr | 106600 kr |
| 65-68 | 95% | 105100 kr | 109100 kr |
| Snitt | 95% | 94000 kr | 100900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 94% | 92700 kr | 95900 kr |
| 45-54 | 91% | 101600 kr | 104600 kr |
| 55-64 | 91% | 103700 kr | 108600 kr |
| 65-68 | 73% | 138500 kr | 141900 kr |
| Snitt | 87% | 105600 kr | 109300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 97% | 80700 kr | 86900 kr |
| 35-44 | 97% | 86300 kr | 93200 kr |
| 45-54 | 96% | 95200 kr | 103200 kr |
| 55-64 | 97% | 100000 kr | 106500 kr |
| 65-68 | 95% | 104400 kr | 108300 kr |
| Snitt | 96% | 93900 kr | 100800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 119% | 79000 kr | 79400 kr |
| 45-54 | 101% | 105700 kr | 106400 kr |
| Snitt | 113% | 89200 kr | 89800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 119% | 79000 kr | 79400 kr |
| 45-54 | 101% | 105700 kr | 106400 kr |
| Snitt | 113% | 89200 kr | 89800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 97% | 79600 kr | 83400 kr |
| 35-44 | 101% | 86700 kr | 90600 kr |
| 45-54 | 97% | 96600 kr | 100400 kr |
| 55-64 | 100% | 99100 kr | 102500 kr |
| 65-68 | 97% | 101200 kr | 103600 kr |
| Snitt | 99% | 93500 kr | 97300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 97% | 80100 kr | 84600 kr |
| 35-44 | 97% | 85400 kr | 90000 kr |
| 45-54 | 95% | 93900 kr | 98500 kr |
| 55-64 | 96% | 98900 kr | 102800 kr |
| 65-68 | 95% | 100900 kr | 103100 kr |
| Snitt | 95% | 92000 kr | 96300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 94% | 89200 kr | 89800 kr |
| 45-54 | 91% | 94600 kr | 95000 kr |
| 55-64 | 91% | 96400 kr | 99300 kr |
| 65-68 | 73% | 103500 kr | 103900 kr |
| Snitt | 87% | 93800 kr | 94800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 97% | 80200 kr | 84700 kr |
| 35-44 | 97% | 85400 kr | 90000 kr |
| 45-54 | 96% | 93800 kr | 98600 kr |
| 55-64 | 97% | 99000 kr | 102900 kr |
| 65-68 | 95% | 100800 kr | 103100 kr |
| Snitt | 96% | 91900 kr | 96300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 119% | 93100 kr | 94100 kr |
| 45-54 | 101% | 107100 kr | 107800 kr |
| 55-64 | 99900 kr | 101100 kr | |
| Snitt | 113% | 100600 kr | 101600 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35-44 | 119% | 93100 kr | 94100 kr |
| 45-54 | 101% | 107100 kr | 107800 kr |
| 55-64 | 99900 kr | 101100 kr | |
| Snitt | 113% | 100600 kr | 101600 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 Cancer Specialist has the SSYK code 2211, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
-
Specialist Doctor at Medcura – Consultant or Permanent Position Autumn 2026
Specialist doctors
Wed, 24 Jun 2026 - 06:24 -
General Practitioner with Interest in Supervision at Varvet Health Centre, Hudiksvall
Specialist doctors
Wed, 24 Jun 2026 - 00:55 -
Specialist Doctor in General Medicine at Health Centre in Mellerud
Specialist doctors
Wed, 24 Jun 2026 - 00:51 -
Specialist Physician in General Practice at Nygatan Health Centre
Specialist doctors
Wed, 24 Jun 2026 - 00:28
Compare salary, work tasks and job outlook in adjacent occupations to find roles with similar skills or pay levels.
-
Average salary: 46 600 SEK/month • Hälso- & sjukvård
Pharmacy technicians
Compare with Cancer Specialist
Wed, 24 Jun 2026 - 05:38 -
Average salary: 57 500 SEK/month • Hälso- & sjukvård
Dentists
Compare with Cancer Specialist
Tue, 23 Jun 2026 - 21:46 -
Average salary: 33 700 SEK/month • Hälso- & sjukvård
Dental assistants
Compare with Cancer Specialist
Wed, 24 Jun 2026 - 08:05 -
Average salary: 39 500 SEK/month • Hälso- & sjukvård
Occupational therapists
Compare with Cancer Specialist
Wed, 24 Jun 2026 - 05:55 -
Average salary: 44 000 SEK/month • Hälso- & sjukvård
Registered nurses
Compare with Cancer Specialist
Wed, 24 Jun 2026 - 05:34 -
Average salary: 98 000 SEK/month • Hälso- & sjukvård
Specialist doctors
Compare with Cancer Specialist
Wed, 24 Jun 2026 - 05:47