How much does a psychiatrist make?
a year · about $136 an hour
A typical psychiatrist in the United States makes $281,870 a year, about $136 an hour, about 5.5× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
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.
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.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $84,060 and $446,520How do you become one?
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.
School needed: Graduate degree or long training
Good for people who like figuring things out and helping and teaching
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.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in California ($353,500), lowest in North Carolina ($168,880).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| 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 |
Official definition: Diagnose, treat, and help prevent mental disorders. Excludes “Clinical and Counseling Psychologists” (19-3033) and “School Psychologists” (19-3034).
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