Sutter Health - Bay Area logo
Sutter Health - Bay Area
Santa Clara, California

Physician, Rheumatology (Santa Clara, CA)

RheumatologyFull-Time

Compensation

Pay not listed

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the pay range, the work setting, call expectations and time off.

Posted 3mo ago · Verified live

Job Description

Opportunity Information

Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group is seeking a full-time, BC/BE Rheumatologist

Location: Santa Clara, CA

Opportunity Details

Collaborative relationships with specialists across the organization

Robust Onboarding and Mentorship Program

Flexibility in schedule - 4 days a week for full time, part-time opportunities available, flexible patient visit duration

Remote Video Visits from Home Available

  • Abundant leadership and committee work opportunities, with active promotion of quality improvement projects
  • Physician-led inclusive organization, emphasizing collaboration, mentorship, clinician / staff well-being, and innovation
  • General outpatient Rheumatology practice in a collegial environment

Qualifications

Fellowship in Rheumatology

Board eligibility or certification in Rheumatology.

Join Us and Enjoy

We Offer

  • Physician-led and collegial environment
  • Schedule flexibility and sabbaticals for work-life balance
  • Signing bonuses available
  • Relocation allowance
  • Guaranteed salary for two years with production bonus
  • Generous benefits package
  • Shareholder eligibility after two years
  • PSLF eligible
  • 401K, cash-balance retirement plan, HSA

Organization Details

Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group

We are one of the largest multi-specialty medical groups in the country, made up of over 2,200 physicians in 40+ specialties, in practices throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Our organization is nationally recognized for our excellence with multiple awards for quality of care, innovation and leadership.

Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group is affiliated with Palo Alto Medical Foundation, a not-for-profit health care organization, providing operational and administrative support, including the latest technology, allowing physicians to focus on delivering exceptional patient care.

Community Information

Santa Clara is located in the center of Silicon Valley and is home to several high-tech companies' headquarters. Santa Clara University, the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of California, is a treasured landmark. The city is bordered by San Jose, Sunnyvale and Cupertino.

Equal Opportunity Statement

  • It is the policy of the Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group (PAFMG) to provide equal employment for all qualified individuals; to prohibit discrimination in employment because of race, color, creed, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry, national origin, age, medical condition, disability or status as a veteran or a disabled veteran. We promote the full realization of equal employment opportunities through a positive continuing program within our service area. Equal employment opportunities apply to every aspect of PAFMG's employment policies and practices.

Key Responsibilities

Provide high-quality outpatient rheumatology care in a collaborative, physician-led environment. Participate in leadership, committee work, and quality improvement projects to support organizational innovation.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure
Experience
2+ years of experience

Certifications

Board Certification

Key Skills

Clinical practiceOutpatient care

Rheumatology — Physician Career Context

The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Rheumatology pay on WeekdayDoc is down 15.3% vs. the prior quarter (through Oct 2026).

What does the Rheumatology market look like in California?
MeasureThis jobMarket
Work-life score7.9 / 10 · top 10% in rheumatologyranked against 161 Rheumatology listingslisting-based score, 0–10
Listed paynot listedRheumatology median $322k (middle half $297k–$350k)20 comparable listings, Nov 2026
Cost of livingCalifornia index 110.7US average = 100BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Rheumatology listings in California29 active159 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Sign-on & loan repaymentsign-on bonusCalifornia physician listings (all specialties): 30% state a sign-on bonus (median $100k) · 28% 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
Rheumatology pay trend−15.3% vs prior quarter—through Oct 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index (161 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 Clara, CA) at Sutter Health - Bay Area a 7.9 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as very good. This places the position in the top 10% in Rheumatology — ranked against 161 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 7.9
Among the best 10% of Rheumatology listings for work-life

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 161 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Sutter Health - Bay Area logo

About Sutter Health - Bay Area

Hospitals and Health Care
Palo Alto, CA
501-1,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Signing bonuses
Relocation allowance
Guaranteed salary for two years with production bonus
Generous benefits package
Shareholder eligibility after two years
PSLF eligible
401K
Cash-balance retirement plan

Living in Santa Clara

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$1.67M
Typical market rent
$3,958/mo
Residents’ average commute
23 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
110.4
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 · San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.