Rheumatologist

What does a rheumatologist do? – Tasks and work environment

A rheumatologist is a specialist doctor focused on diagnosing, treating, and monitoring rheumatic diseases. This involves investigating and treating patients with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, autoimmune diseases, and other inflammatory conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system. The work is often conducted at hospital rheumatology clinics, but also in outpatient clinics or private specialist practices. A rheumatologist’s daily routine includes patient consultations, collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, and continuous professional development to stay updated on new treatment methods and research findings.

Salary development over time

The salary for a rheumatologist has steadily increased in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 86,400 SEK per month, rising to 92 200 SEK in 2023 and reaching 93 600 SEK in 2024. The total increase over three years is approximately 8.3%. This positive trend can be explained by high demand for specialist doctors in the field, increased requirements for specialist competence, and strong competition for rheumatologists nationwide. Market conditions are also influenced by retirements and increased awareness of the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic diseases. The pace of salary increases indicates that employers are willing to offer competitive conditions to attract and retain this expertise.

Rheumatologist salary – comprehensive 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 differences: Women earn 98% of what men do (94 300 SEK/month for men, 92 900 SEK/month for women)
• Regional differences: Data on regional differences are limited, but salaries may vary depending on employer and geographic area.

Education and qualifications

The path to becoming a rheumatologist is long and requires several years of education and practical experience. First, a medical degree is needed, followed by general internship (AT), and then specialist training in internal medicine and rheumatology. During specialist training, the doctor gains both theoretical and practical competence in rheumatic diseases and treatments.

• Medical degree: 5.5 years at university/higher education
• General internship (AT): About 1.5–2 years
• Specialist training (ST) in rheumatology: About 5 years
• Licensing: Medical license from the National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen) is required
• Continued professional development: Courses, conferences, and sometimes research

Common benefits and compensations

Rheumatologists are often offered comprehensive benefits such as occupational pension, generous vacation agreements, flexible working hours, and opportunities for professional development. Other common compensations include wellness allowances, subsidized health insurance, and sometimes bonuses or extra pay for on-call duties. Opportunities for research or educational assignments may also be available.

Competition and challenges

The demand for rheumatologists is high, and the job market is characterized by recruitment difficulties, especially outside metropolitan areas. At the same time, the workload can be heavy with long patient queues, complex investigations, and ongoing professional development requirements. Balancing clinical work with research and administrative tasks can be challenging. Despite this, unemployment in the profession is very low, and many employers compete for the expertise with attractive offers. Success requires both medical expertise and good teamwork skills, as patient care often involves multidisciplinary teams with other specialists and healthcare staff.

Tips for those who want to become a rheumatologist

To succeed as a rheumatologist, it’s good to be curious and engaged in understanding complex disease patterns, as many patients have diffuse or rare symptoms. A structured approach helps in diagnosing and monitoring chronic conditions, while communication skills are crucial for building trust and supporting patients who often live with chronic pain. Patience and empathy facilitate interactions with patients whose treatment may require long-term management and careful follow-up. It’s also wise to seek mentorship early in your career and actively participate in continuing education and networking. Finally, analytical ability and interest in research are valued, as the profession often involves engaging with or contributing to new medical findings.

Key facts about rheumatologists

• Education level: Medical degree + specialist training (at least 12 years total)
• Professional group: Specialist doctor
• Work environment: Hospitals, specialist clinics, sometimes research
• Demand: Very high, especially outside major cities
• Job vacancies: 371 within the profession in Sweden

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a rheumatologist, there are good opportunities for further development, such as becoming a medical director, researcher, or educator in the field. Some choose to specialize further in specific disease groups or combine clinical work with research. Forecasts from the Swedish Public Employment Service indicate that the opportunities for employment as a specialist doctor, and thus rheumatologist, are very good nationwide and expected to increase further over the next five years. The recruitment situation is characterized by a paradox – difficulty in recruiting while some leave the profession or work part-time, which drives up demand. The profession thus offers both security and development opportunities for those wanting to work long-term in specialized care.

Common questions about rheumatologists

• What does a rheumatologist earn?
  - A rheumatologist has an average salary of 93 600 SEK per month. The highest salary is 110,600 SEK and the lowest is 84,600 SEK, depending on gender and sector.
• How do you become a rheumatologist?
  - A medical degree, general internship (AT), and specialist training (ST) in rheumatology are required.
• What is the job market like for rheumatologists?
  - The job market is very good with high demand and over 370 available positions within the profession.
• Where do rheumatologists work?
  - Most work at hospital rheumatology clinics or within specialized outpatient clinics, sometimes also involved in research.
• Are there gender differences in salary?
  - Yes, women earn on average 98% of what men do within the profession.
• How long is the training to become a rheumatologist?
  - The total training time is about 12 years after high school, including medical degree, AT, and ST.
• What personal qualities are important for a rheumatologist?
  - Analytical ability, empathy, patience, and good communication skills are valued qualities.