Salary progression Psychiatrist

Average salary 98 000 kr
Males 98 700 kr
Females 97 300 kr

What does a psychiatrist do? – Tasks and work environment

A psychiatrist is a specialist doctor focusing on mental health and psychiatric diagnoses. Tasks include assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of patients with everything from depression and anxiety to more severe mental conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The role also involves prescribing medication, following up on treatments, collaborating with other healthcare professionals, and meeting relatives. The work environment varies between psychiatric clinics, outpatient clinics, and sometimes forensic psychiatry. The job demands high medical competence and the ability to meet people in difficult life situations.

Salary development over time

The average monthly salary for psychiatrists has shown a clear upward trend in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 86,400 SEK. In 2023, it increased to 93 600 SEK, which is about a 6.7% rise. By 2024, the average salary has continued to rise and now stands at 98 000 SEK, representing an additional increase of approximately 1.5% from the previous year. The trend shows that the demand for specialist doctors in psychiatry, combined with complex work content and increased competence requirements, drives salaries upward. There is still a shortage of psychiatrists in large parts of the country, which also contributes to salary increases.

Psychiatrist 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 wage: 563 SEK
  • Gender differences: Women earn 99% of what men do (97 300 SEK compared to 98 700 SEK)
  • Regional differences: Salaries may vary depending on region and employer, often higher in metropolitan areas or where there is a greater shortage of psychiatrists.

Education and qualifications

The path to becoming a psychiatrist is long and demanding, involving several years of higher education and specialist training. First, a medical degree is required, followed by general internship (AT) and specialist training (ST) in psychiatry. In addition to formal education, continuous professional development and the ability to handle complex patient cases are required.

  • Medical degree: 5.5 years at university
  • General internship (AT): about 1.5–2 years
  • Specialist training (ST) in psychiatry: about 5 years
  • Licensing: Required from the National Board of Health and Welfare
  • Continuing education: Ongoing throughout the professional life
  • Prerequisites: Basic eligibility for medical studies (often high grades/HP results)

The psychiatry profession often involves collaboration in multidisciplinary teams where psychologists, counselors, and nurses work closely together. Those who enjoy teamwork and want to contribute to comprehensive patient solutions often thrive in this role.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Psychiatrists are often covered by collective agreements with good pension conditions, generous vacation policies, and opportunities for professional development and further training. Other common benefits include wellness allowances, additional insurance, and sometimes flexible hours or remote work depending on the workplace.

Competition and challenges

Demand for psychiatrists is high, and competition for positions is relatively low, especially outside metropolitan areas. At the same time, the profession presents significant challenges, both in terms of workload and the emotional responsibility involved in treating people with serious mental health issues. The recruitment situation is characterized by a shortage of qualified applicants, making many positions difficult to fill. The profession is also affected by some psychiatrists choosing part-time work or leaving the field, which further exacerbates the shortage. The work environment can be demanding with high workload but also offers opportunities for development and specialization.

Tips for those who want to become a psychiatrist

To succeed as a psychiatrist, it is good to combine analytical skills with a strong interest in mental health. An initial step is to familiarize yourself early with what the medical profession entails and prepare for the high admission requirements to medical studies. Good teamwork skills are crucial, as the work often involves collaboration with other healthcare professionals. Practice clear and attentive communication. Resilience and stress tolerance are needed during the long training period, so planning for a balance between studies and leisure is beneficial. An interest in lifelong learning is important as medical knowledge evolves, and it’s good to take initiatives for continuing education and supervision even after specialist training. Finally, developing empathy and the ability to meet people in crisis helps facilitate both treatment work and personal well-being in the role of a psychiatrist.

Key facts about psychiatrists

  • Educational level: Medical degree + specialist training (about 12 years total)
  • Work environment: Hospitals, outpatient clinics, forensic psychiatry
  • Work form: Usually full-time, sometimes on-call and standby
  • Demand: Very high, shortage of psychiatrists nationwide
  • Special skills: Psychopharmacology, diagnostics, counseling techniques

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, a psychiatrist can advance to senior physician, medical manager, or chief physician within psychiatry. There are also opportunities for further specialization, e.g., in child and adolescent psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, or research and teaching at universities. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, job opportunities are very good, and demand is expected to increase further over the next five years. The shortage of psychiatrists means career opportunities are broad, with many vacant positions to apply for – in the latest survey, there were 371 job openings in the field. Forecasts indicate recruitment difficulties will persist, offering good future prospects for new and experienced psychiatrists.

Common questions about psychiatrists

  • What does a psychiatrist earn?
    - A psychiatrist has an average salary of 98 000 SEK per month.
  • How long is the education required to become a psychiatrist?
    - The educational path includes a medical degree (5.5 years), internship (about 1.5–2 years), and specialist training in psychiatry (about 5 years).
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn on average 99% of what men do in the profession.
  • In which work environments do psychiatrists work?
    - They primarily work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and forensic psychiatry.
  • What are the future prospects for psychiatrists?
    - Demand is very high, and forecasts show continued good career opportunities.
  • What is the highest and lowest salary for psychiatrists?
    - The highest reported salary is 110,600 SEK/month for men and 101,500 SEK/month for women. The lowest salary is 84,600 SEK/month for men and 91,200 SEK/month for women.
  • What personal qualities are important for a psychiatrist?
    - Analytical ability, empathy, and teamwork skills are especially important in the profession.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Psychiatrist is 117800 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Government sector with a postgraduate education. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 102300 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Psychiatrist is 89800 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed officials. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 94100 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's 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
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 Psychiatrist has the SSYK code 2211, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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