- Salary statistics
- Foniater salary
Foniater 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
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Salary progression Foniater
What does a Foniater do? – Job tasks and work environment
A foniater is a specialist doctor focusing on voice, speech, language, and swallowing. The role includes diagnosis and treatment of patients with voice disorders, speech problems, and swallowing difficulties, often in close collaboration with speech therapists, ENT doctors, and other specialists. The work environment varies between hospitals, specialist clinics, and research settings. Advanced technology is used to analyze voice and swallowing functions, and there are both individual patient consultations and multidisciplinary team conferences. The foniater often has responsibilities for supervising colleagues and educating staff within the field.
Salary development over time
Over the past three years, the salary for Foniaters has increased significantly. In 2022, the average salary was 86,400 SEK per month, rising to 93 600 SEK in 2023 and further to 98 000 SEK in 2024. This corresponds to a salary increase of approximately 8.3% over the period. The trend shows stable and strong salary growth, which can be linked to the increased demand for specialist doctors and particularly expertise in voice and swallowing issues. The shortage of foniaters in the country makes employers more willing to offer competitive salaries to attract and retain specialists. The high level of education within the profession also contributes to the observed salary development.
Foniater salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 98 000 SEK/month
- Lowest salary (male/female): 84,600 SEK / 91,200 SEK
- Highest salary (male/female): 110,600 SEK / 101,500 SEK
- Hourly wage (average): 563 SEK
- Gender differences: Women earn 99% of what men do (men 98 700 SEK, women 97 300 SEK)
- Regional differences: No clear data available
Education and qualifications
The path to becoming a foniater is long and requires several years of education and specialization. First, a medical degree followed by licensure as a doctor. Then, specialist training in ENT (ear, nose, throat) and finally a focus on phoniatrics. Many foniaters also pursue further education in areas such as voice physiology or neurological diseases affecting speech and swallowing.
- Medical degree: 5.5 years of university studies
- Internship (AT): approximately 1.5–2 years
- Specialist training (ST) in ENT: approximately 5 years
- Specialization in phoniatrics: 1–2 years or longer depending on position and research
- Recommended courses: Voice physiology, neurology, speech therapy
- Prerequisites: Science-based high school education and high university eligibility
Phoniatrics is one of the smallest and most specialized medical fields in Sweden – there are only a few clinics, and each foniater often handles rare and complex cases where voice and swallowing are critical to the patient's quality of life. It is a field where research and clinical practice often go hand in hand.
Common benefits and compensations
Foniaters are often offered benefits such as occupational pension, extra vacation days, paid training, and wellness allowances. In some cases, research or educational stipends may also be included. Flexibility in working hours and opportunities for professional development are common, especially within the public sector.
Challenges and competition
Competition for positions as a foniater is low, but the challenge lies more in the limited number of training places and consequently a small number of colleagues in the job market. The profession has a high degree of specialization, which makes recruitment difficult, and employers sometimes have to look internationally for expertise. At the same time, workload can be high due to the influx of patients and complex medical cases. This requires both medical expertise and teamwork skills in multidisciplinary teams.
Tips for those who want to become a Foniater
To succeed as a foniater, it's good to be meticulous, analytical, and have a strong interest in both medicine and communication. Good listening skills and the ability to interpret subtle signals are crucial, as diagnoses are often based on detailed patient descriptions and technical analyses. Persistence and goal-orientedness are important, as the path to specialist certification is long and demanding. Collaboration skills and pedagogical ability are necessary when working with patients and colleagues, especially in supervision and teaching. Curiosity and a willingness to continuously learn new things facilitate success, as research in the field is constantly evolving.
Key facts about Foniaters
- Education level: Specialist doctor degree (at least 12 years after high school)
- Work environment: Hospitals, specialist clinics, and research settings
- Demand: Very high and growing
- Number of job openings: 375
- Typical tasks: Diagnosis and treatment of voice, speech, and swallowing problems
Career paths and future prospects
After 3–5 years as a foniater, opportunities may open to become medically responsible at a clinic, supervise ST doctors, or work in research and development. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service's forecast for specialist doctors, the outlook is very positive, with expected increased demand over the next five years. The profession is characterized by a paradoxical recruitment situation, with both a shortage of trained foniaters and a high turnover or part-time work. This increases the need for new specialists and offers good career opportunities nationally and internationally.
Frequently asked questions about Foniaters
- What does a Foniater earn?
- The average salary is 98 000 SEK per month, with variation depending on experience and workplace. - What education is required to become a Foniater?
- Medical degree, medical license, and specialist training in ENT, followed by specialization in phoniatrics. - What is the job market like for Foniaters?
- Demand is very high and there are approximately 375 job openings within the profession. - Are there gender differences in salary for Foniaters?
- Yes, women earn on average 99% of what men do within the profession. - What are the job responsibilities of a Foniater?
- Diagnosis and treatment of voice, speech, and swallowing difficulties, as well as guidance and education. - How long is the education pathway to become a Foniater?
- At least 12 years after high school, including medical degree, internship, specialist training, and further specialization. - What are the future prospects for a Foniater?
- The outlook is very good, with increased demand and great opportunities for employment and further development.
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 Foniater has the SSYK code 2211, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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