How much does a Radiation physicist make

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Radiation physicist

51 500 kr

Physicists and astronomers

41 600 - 58 500 kr / month

Women earn 97% of what men do.

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Salary progression Radiation physicist

Average salary 51 500 kr
Males 51 800 kr
Females 50 500 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 16 Vacant jobs ->

What does a Radiation Physicist do? – Tasks and Work Environment

Radiation physicists are specialists who work with measuring, analyzing, and applying ionizing and non-ionizing radiation in healthcare, industry, and research. Their main tasks include planning and optimizing radiation doses in cancer treatment, ensuring radiation equipment functions correctly, and training and supporting other staff in radiation protection. The work environment is often clinical, such as at hospital oncology and radiology departments, but laboratories and industrial environments are also common. The job requires precision, analytical skills, and a high level of responsibility for patient safety.

Salary Development Over Time

The salary for radiation physicists has shown a relatively stable and positive trend in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 48,500 SEK per month, followed by an increase to 49700 SEK in 2023 and further to the current level of 51 500 SEK for 2024. This corresponds to a total increase of approximately 6.2% over three years. This development reflects a continued demand for specialist competence in radiation physics, especially within healthcare where technological advancements and increased safety standards drive up salaries. Despite the limited number of trained professionals, salary increases are moderate, possibly due to the narrow field and many positions being within the public sector with regulated salary structures.

Radiation Physicist Salary – Complete Overview

  • Average salary: 51 500 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 41,600 SEK/month (female, private sector employee, post-secondary education shorter than 3 years)
  • Highest salary: 58,500 SEK/month (male, municipal sector, doctoral degree)
  • Hourly wage: 310 SEK (based on 166 working hours/month)
  • Gender pay gap: Men 51 800 SEK, women 50 500 SEK (women earn 97% of men's salary)

Education and Qualifications

A radiation physicist typically has a solid academic background in physics, often with a master's degree followed by doctoral studies specializing in medical physics or radiation physics. The education combines advanced theoretical physics with practical components in radiation measurement, dosimetry, and radiation protection. To work clinically, licensure and sometimes specific certifications are required depending on the workplace.

  • Master's degree in physics: 5 years (including bachelor's)
  • Doctoral studies/PhD: 4 years (common but not always required for certain positions)
  • Licensing: Required for some clinical roles (Socialstyrelsen)
  • Internship/clinical training: During education or as a trainee
  • Prerequisites: Advanced mathematics and physics

Many radiation physicists work closely with patients and doctors, which means good communication skills and teamwork are essential – despite the technical focus of the profession.

– statsskuld.se

Common Benefits and Compensation

Radiation physicists are often offered generous benefits such as extra vacation days, wellness allowances, professional development, and flexible working hours. Public sector employers typically include occupational pension schemes and insurance, and some employers also offer research or further education opportunities as part of employment.

Competition and Challenges

The profession is relatively niche, meaning competition for positions can vary significantly depending on the region and employer. The number of trained professionals is limited, but the number of available jobs is not much higher, leading to a balanced job market. Technological advances, increased safety requirements, and the need for specialist competence demand ongoing continuous education. A challenge is staying updated on new methods and equipment, while the work often involves high responsibility and precision.

Tips for Aspiring Radiation Physicists

To succeed as a radiation physicist, it’s beneficial to combine analytical skills with a genuine interest in physics and medicine. A strong sense of accuracy aids in handling advanced measurement equipment and dose calculations, while good teamwork skills are important in interactions with doctors and healthcare staff. Being solution-oriented and flexible helps when new technologies or methods are rapidly implemented, and a willingness to learn continuously is crucial to keep up with developments. Additionally, an ethical approach and sense of responsibility are essential, as the work directly impacts patient safety and treatment outcomes.

Key Facts about Radiation Physicists

  • Salary range: 41,600–58,500 SEK/month
  • Education level: Master's degree or doctoral studies in physics
  • Work environment: Hospitals, laboratories, and sometimes industry
  • Gender pay gap: Women earn 97% of men's salary
  • Job vacancies in the profession: 143 (May 2024)

Career Paths and Future Outlook

After 3–5 years in the profession, a radiation physicist can advance to leadership roles such as head of a physics unit, radiation safety officer, or specialist positions in research and development. Opportunities also exist to work internationally or within authorities with oversight responsibilities. Forecasts from the Employment Service are uncertain due to limited data, but technological progress and increased safety standards suggest that demand for qualified radiation physicists will remain stable. Currently, there are 143 job openings in the “Physicists and Astronomers” category, indicating some mobility and opportunities for career change or specialization.

Frequently Asked Questions about Radiation Physicists

  • What does a Radiation Physicist earn?
    - The average salary is 51 500 SEK per month, with variations between 41,600 SEK and 58,500 SEK depending on experience, sector, and education.
  • How does one become a Radiation Physicist?
    - It requires a master's degree in physics, often followed by doctoral studies and sometimes licensure from the National Board of Health and Welfare.
  • Where does a Radiation Physicist work?
    - Most commonly in hospitals, especially in cancer clinics and radiology departments, but laboratories and industry also employ radiation physicists.
  • Are there salary differences between men and women?
    - Yes, women earn on average 97% of what men do in the profession.
  • What are the future prospects?
    - The forecast is uncertain due to limited data, but technological development and increased safety requirements suggest continued demand for the profession.
  • What personal qualities are important?
    - Precision, analytical skills, teamwork, and a sense of responsibility are highly valued.
  • What education is needed to work internationally?
    - A master's degree or doctoral studies in physics are often sufficient, but some countries may require national licensing or additional certifications.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-08 04:55:04

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Radiation physicist 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 Radiation physicist 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
* Empty columns indicate that the statistical data was insufficient to allow for a statistically significant conclusion.
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 Radiation physicist has the SSYK code 2111, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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