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Sutter Health
Santa Barbara, California

Physician, Rheumatology (Santa Barbara, Ca)

RheumatologyFull-Time

Listed compensation

$300K - $350K

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 3mo ago

Job Description

Opportunity Information

Sansum Medical Group Santa Barbara is seeking a board certified or board eligible Rheumatologist to join our growing team of experienced rheumatologists. This is an outstanding opportunity to practice in a collaborative, patient-centered environment, with a strong referral base. Our ideal candidate is committed to compassionate, team-based care and wants to live and work in a vibrant and family friendly community in coastal California.

Qualifications

  • Board certified or board eligible rheumatologist. MD or DO
  • Strong Skill Set in consultation and management of the full spectrum of rheumatologic conditions
  • DEA Certificate
  • Eligible to Work in the United States
  • CA Licensure or the Ability to Obtain CA Licensure
  • Exceptional Communication and Interpersonal Skills
  • Local travel to Solvang may be required
  • Join Us and Enjoy
  • Free Medical/Dental/Vision
  • CME Stipend
  • 1 MA Per Provider
  • Malpractice Insurance
  • Disability
  • Retirement: 401K & Profit Sharing
  • Annual Leave
  • Licensure/DEA/Board Exam Fees
  • PSLF Eligible
  • Assistance with student loan repayment
  • Home loan Program

Organization Details

We believe that Sansum is not just a workplace; it's a community where talented medical professionals work collaboratively to make a difference in the lives of those we serve.

Your skills and dedication can contribute significantly to our mission as we enhance our total hip and knee joint replacement program in our Foothill Ambulatory Surgery Center. The ideal candidate will have experience building a high quality and efficient program.

We look forward to the possibility of welcoming you to our growing family of healthcare professionals which includes over 50 primary care providers, 6 orthopods and over 200 clinicians representing various specialties within our multispecialty medical group. Together, let's create a healthier and happier future for our community.

Equal Opportunity Statement

It is the policy of Sutter Health and its partners to provide equal employment for all qualified individuals; to prohibit discrimination in employment because of basis of race, color, creed, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, registered domestic partner status, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, ancestry, national origin (including possession of a driver's license issued to individuals who did not present proof of authorized presence in the U.S.), age, medical condition, physical or mental disability, military or protected veteran status, political affiliation, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical condition, genetic information or any other characteristic made unlawful by local, state or federal law, ordinance or regulation.

We promote the full realization of equal employment opportunities through a positive continuing program within each medical group, company, hospital, department, and service area. Equal employment opportunities apply to every aspect of Sutter's employment policies and practices.

Key Responsibilities

The Rheumatologist will provide expert consultation and management for the full spectrum of rheumatologic conditions within a collaborative, patient-centered environment. The role also involves contributing to the enhancement of the total hip and knee joint replacement program at the Foothill Ambulatory Surgery Center.

Qualifications

Education
Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
2+ years of experience

Certifications

DEA LicenseBoard Certification

Key Skills

RheumatologyPatient-centered careClinical managementJoint replacement program support

Rheumatology — Physician Career Context

The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$325k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $294k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

What does the Rheumatology market look like in California?
MeasureThis jobMarket
Work-life score7.2 / 10 · top 10% in rheumatologyranked against 159 Rheumatology listingslisting-based score, 0–10
Listed pay$300k–$350kRheumatology median $308k (middle half $288k–$363k)11 comparable listings, Nov 2026
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$294k in purchasing powerCalifornia index 110.7 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Rheumatology listings in California29 active159 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Sign-on & loan repaymentloan repaymentCalifornia physician listings (all specialties): 30% state a sign-on bonus (median $100k) · 27% offer loan repayment1,000 active listings, Nov 2026
Rheumatology hiring demandnot ranked this monthpostings stay open a median 73 daysWeekdayDoc Hiring Index, October 2026 · 52 postings, 32 closed
New Rheumatology listings46 in the last 30 days40 the 30 days before (+15%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index (159 Rheumatology listings), BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), WeekdayDoc Hiring Index; as of Nov 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Physician, Rheumatology (Santa Barbara, Ca) at Sutter Health a 7.2 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as very good. This places the position in the top 10% in Rheumatology — ranked against 159 active Rheumatology listings on WeekdayDoc.

Top Rheumatologist Jobs

6 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

6 jobs
3
<$310k
1
$312k
0
$335k-360k
2
$360k-385k

Annual compensation range

Work-Life Balance Distribution

6 jobs
0
1-2
0
3-4
0
5-6
5
7-8
1
9-10

Higher = better work-life balance

#1

Physician - Rheumatologist

Community Health Centers of America · Livingston, California

$300k-$375k
#2

Rheumatologist | Unity Health

UnitedHealth Group · Hudson, Ohio

$224k-$371k
#3

Seeking Rheumatologist for busy Multi-Specialty clinic in Riverside CA

$150+/hr
#4

Rheumatologist

$280k-$300k
+ 4 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.0this job 7.2
Among the best 10% of Rheumatology listings for work-life

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 159 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Sutter Health logo

About Sutter Health

Hospitals and Health Care
Sacramento, California
10,000+ employees

Benefits & Perks

Free Medical/Dental/Vision
CME Stipend
1 MA Per Provider
Malpractice Insurance
Disability
Retirement: 401K & Profit Sharing
Annual Leave
Licensure/DEA/Board Exam Fees

Living in Santa Barbara

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$1.90M≈ 6.3× annual pay
Typical market rent
$3,642/mo≈ 15% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
17 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
108.8
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Sep 2026), Zillow market rents (Sep 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.