What does a School Doctor do? – Tasks and Work Environment
A School Doctor assesses, prevents, and treats students' medical needs within the school environment. Tasks include health screenings, medical evaluations, and collaboration with school nurses, student health teams, and parents. The School Doctor plays a central role in identifying and supporting students with special needs or chronic illnesses, as well as providing advice on vaccinations, infection control, and mental health. The work environment is often flexible, with assignments at multiple schools and close cooperation with school staff to create a safe and health-promoting school setting.
Salary development over time
The salary for School Doctors has shown a clear positive trend over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 86,400 SEK per month, which increased to 92 200 SEK in 2023 and reached 93 600 SEK in 2024. This represents a total increase of about 8.3% over the period, with a particularly strong rise between 2022 and 2023. This salary development reflects a continued high demand for specialist doctors in school health services, driven by increased requirements for student health work and a challenging recruitment situation. Despite high salary levels, competition for qualified staff remains, further influencing salary formation.
School Doctor salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 93 600 SEK/month
- Salary range: 84,600–110,600 SEK/month
- Educational level: Medical license + specialist training (at least 11 years)
- Work environment: School-based, often multiple workplaces
- Demand: Very high, 375 job openings within the profession
Education and qualifications
To work as a School Doctor, a medical license and specialist training in areas such as pediatric and adolescent medicine or general medicine are required. The educational path is lengthy, including basic medical training and several years of specialist practice. Experience working with children and adolescents, as well as knowledge of school organization, are important qualifications.
- Medical training: 6 years (basic education)
- Specialist practice: 5 years (e.g., pediatric and adolescent medicine, general medicine)
- License: Requirement for Swedish medical license
- Experience: Prior work in school health or pediatric medicine is advantageous
- Additional courses: Student health, medical pedagogy (recommended)
Many School Doctors appreciate the variation in daily tasks and the opportunity to influence children's and adolescents' health early on. The role requires the ability to switch between medical assessments and pedagogical conversations, contributing to a stimulating and diverse work environment.
Common benefits and compensations
School Doctors are often offered generous benefits such as occupational pension, wellness allowance, flexible working hours, and opportunities for professional development. Additional vacation days, health insurance, and sometimes company cars may also be included, depending on the employer and sector.
Challenges and competition
The competition for positions as a School Doctor is generally low, due to the extensive educational pathway and high skill requirements. However, recruitment difficulties exist, especially in smaller municipalities and rural areas where the need for specialists is significant. Challenges in the profession include high demands for collaboration across professions, handling complex medical and psychosocial situations, and the need for continuous training to stay updated on new guidelines and legislation. The broad scope of the role can lead to uneven workloads, requiring good organizational skills to manage both urgent and long-term cases.
Tips for aspiring School Doctors
To succeed as a School Doctor, a genuine interest in children's and adolescents' health and the ability to build trustful relationships with students and school staff are important. Good communication skills are crucial, especially when conducting difficult conversations with parents and students, so practicing explaining medical issues in an educational manner is recommended. Flexibility and problem-solving skills facilitate adapting to changing workdays or unexpected situations. A structured approach makes administrative tasks easier, while a commitment to ongoing education helps keep you updated on medicine and school legislation. Developing patience and empathy is also essential, as many meetings involve creating a sense of security for students with diverse needs.
Key facts about School Doctors
- Average salary: 93 600 SEK/month
- Salary range: 84,600–110,600 SEK/month
- Education level: Medical license + specialist training (minimum 11 years)
- Work environment: School-based, often multiple workplaces
- Demand: Very high, 375 job openings in the profession
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years as a School Doctor, there are opportunities to take on more advanced roles, such as medical management within student health or supervising residents and colleagues. Some choose to further specialize in areas like child psychiatry, school development, or medical pedagogy. Employment agency forecasts show excellent prospects for employment within the specialist doctor field nationally, with increased demand expected over the next five years. However, recruitment challenges persist in finding enough qualified applicants, making the profession attractive for those seeking long-term security and good development opportunities.
Frequently asked questions about School Doctors
- What does a School Doctor earn?
- The average salary for a School Doctor is 93 600 SEK per month.
- Are there large salary differences between men and women?
- Yes, women earn approximately 98% of what men do in the profession.
- What education is required to become a School Doctor?
- Medical license and specialist training in areas such as pediatric and adolescent medicine or general medicine.
- What is the job market like for School Doctors?
- Demand is very high with good future prospects and difficulties in recruiting enough specialists.
- What are the most common job tasks?
- Health screenings, medical assessments, counseling, and collaboration with school staff and parents.
- What benefits are usually offered?
- Occupational pension, wellness allowance, flexible working hours, and professional development are common benefits.
- How has salary development progressed over time?
- Salaries have increased by about 8.3% over the past three years.
