How much does a psychiatrist make?
Answer: A typical psychiatrist in the United States makes $281,870 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 28,000 people work in this job. Well above the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Psychiatrist pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $84,060 | $281,870 | $446,520 | about 28,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| California | $353,500 | about 5,000 |
| Minnesota | $336,410 | about 580 |
| Wisconsin | $331,070 | about 550 |
| Connecticut | $326,670 | about 560 |
| Michigan | $291,850 | about 560 |
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, psychiatrists' pay can differ with experience, credentials, and specialty, plus whether they work in an office, clinic, or hospital and where that job is. Hours worked, including night or on-call shifts, can matter too.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a psychiatrist do?
Diagnose, treat, and help prevent mental disorders. Excludes “Clinical and Counseling Psychologists” (19-3033) and “School Psychologists” (19-3034).
What's a typical day like?
They listen as patients describe their feelings and health history, review records, and work out what may be wrong. Then they plan care, such as medicine or talk therapy, and discuss progress with the patient and care team.
How to get this job
In the U.S., go to college and medical school, pass medical licensing exams, then complete a 4-year psychiatry residency and get a state license. The path takes about 12 years after high school, so many finish near age 30.
Graduate degree or long training (preparation level 5 of 5)
Good for people who like figuring things out and helping and teaching.
Did you know?
Some U.S. psychiatrists help courts by assessing a person's mental health for a case—they are not there to solve crimes.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physicians-and-surgeons.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/29-1223.00
- abpn.org/wp-content/uploads/Pathway-to-board-certified-psychiatrist.pdf
- www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/what-is-psychiatry-menu
- www.marithealth.com/o/-/psychiatrist/salary
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY