Image that illustrates Radiophysicist

Radiophysicist

51 500 kr

Physicists and astronomers

41 600 - 58 500 kr / month

Women earn 97% of what men do.

Naturvetenskapligt arbete

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Radiophysicist

Average salary 51 500 kr
Males 51 800 kr
Females 50 500 kr

What does a medical physicist do? – Tasks and work environment

A medical physicist primarily works within healthcare to ensure that medical radiation is used safely and effectively. Their tasks include calibrating and checking radiation therapy equipment, optimizing radiation doses for cancer treatments, and monitoring radiation environments for patients and staff. Medical physicists collaborate closely with doctors, engineers, and nurses, often in interdisciplinary teams, and must stay continuously updated on technological and scientific advances. The work environment is usually hospital-based, involving both administrative responsibilities and practical work with advanced measurement equipment.

Salary development over time

The salary for medical physicists has shown steady positive growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 48,500 SEK per month, which increased to 49700 SEK during 2023. In 2024, the average salary amounts to 51 500 SEK, representing an increase of approximately 6.2 % over two years. This development can partly be explained by increased demand for specialist skills in medical technology and radiation physics, as well as the important role the profession plays in patient safety. The shortage of qualified medical physicists and technological advances in medicine also contribute to rising salary levels. Gender differences are relatively small but persist, with higher salaries typically found among those with doctoral degrees and in the municipal sector.

Medical physicist salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 51 500 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 41,600 SEK/month (privately employed woman, post-secondary education <3 years)
  • Highest salary: 58,500 SEK/month (municipal man, doctoral degree)
  • Hourly wage (average): 310 SEK/hour
  • Gender differences: Women earn 50 500 SEK/month, men 51 800 SEK/month (women 97 % of men's salary)
  • Regional differences: Limited data available

Education and qualifications

To work as a medical physicist, an advanced education in physics with a focus on medical applications is required. The most common path is to study physics at university level, followed by a master's or doctoral program specializing in medical physics. Internships and supervised experience at hospitals are important parts of the education, and certification is issued by the National Board of Health and Welfare.

  • University degree in physics: 3–5 years (bachelor's + master's)
  • Specialization in medical physics/radiation physics: 2 years (master's or doctoral program)
  • Internship at hospital: Mandatory for certification
  • Certification: Issued by the National Board of Health and Welfare after completing education and internship
  • Prerequisites: Science-oriented high school education, often with specific eligibility in mathematics and physics

A medical physicist is one of the few professions where advanced physics meets patient-centered care, often acting as the translator of complex physical principles into practical solutions in healthcare. It requires both technical depth and good communication skills, especially in collaboration with doctors and healthcare staff.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Medical physicists are often offered benefits such as extra vacation days, pension contributions, wellness allowances, and opportunities for skills development. In some cases, on-call pay and allowances for unsocial hours may also be included, especially in larger hospitals or regional hospitals.

Competition and challenges

The profession of medical physicist is characterized by a relatively limited job market but low competition for positions, as demand for specialist skills is high. The number of training places is limited, and the education is demanding, leading to a shortage of qualified medical physicists in Sweden. Challenges include keeping up with rapid technological development and ensuring patient safety in increasingly complex environments. Workload can sometimes be high, especially when new technology is implemented or regulations change. Despite these challenges, most practitioners find the profession meaningful and rewarding.

Tips for aspiring medical physicists

To succeed as a medical physicist, it is beneficial to combine a strong interest in physics and mathematics with a desire to work closely with healthcare. Precision is crucial, as small calculation errors can have significant consequences for patient safety, so developing good routines and attention to detail is important. Collaboration skills facilitate teamwork with different professional groups in hospitals, which is a large part of daily work. Curiosity and an interest in technological development help stay updated on new treatment methods and equipment. Finally, patience and perseverance are needed, both during the long educational process and in daily work where problem-solving often requires time and accuracy.

Key facts about Medical Physicists

  • Educational level: Master's or doctoral degree in physics/radiation physics
  • Salary range: 41,600–58,500 SEK/month
  • Average salary: 51 500 SEK/month
  • Work environment: Hospital-based, close to patient care and technology
  • Demand: Low competition, 143 job openings in the profession

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years of experience, a medical physicist can advance to roles such as head of medical physics, research leader, or specialist in specific treatment methods. Further education or doctoral studies open opportunities for teaching or research at universities. Forecasts from the Swedish Public Employment Service indicate that, due to limited data, there is no comprehensive assessment of future prospects for medical physicists. However, the low competition and number of available jobs suggest good opportunities for recent graduates or those seeking a career change.

Frequently asked questions about Medical Physicists

  • What is the average salary of a medical physicist?
    - The average salary is 51 500 SEK per month.
  • What are the highest and lowest salaries for a medical physicist?
    - The highest salary is 58,500 SEK (male, municipal sector, doctoral degree), the lowest is 41,600 SEK (female, private sector, shorter education).
  • How does one become a medical physicist?
    - By studying physics at university, specializing in medical physics, completing internships, and obtaining certification from the National Board of Health and Welfare.
  • Are there gender pay differences?
    - Yes, women earn 97 % of what men do in the profession.
  • What is the job market like for medical physicists?
    - There is low competition and about 143 job openings in the profession right now.
  • Where do medical physicists usually work?
    - Most work in hospitals, often within oncology clinics or radiation laboratories.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Radiophysicist is 58500 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Municipal sector with a postgraduate education. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 56500 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Radiophysicist is 41600 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Privately employed workers. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 44900 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 102% 41800 kr 42100 kr
35-44 100% 49700 kr 50000 kr
45-54 102% 55800 kr 56100 kr
55-64 61000 kr 61200 kr
Snitt 97% 51200 kr 51500 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 Radiophysicist has the SSYK code 2111, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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