How much does a psychiatrist make?
The median psychiatrist in the United States earns $239,200+ per year. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all psychiatrists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 29-1223.
Psychiatrist salary range
Pay for psychiatrists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $77,360 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $239,200+. The average (mean) wage of $269,120 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $77,360 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $141,290 | |
| Median (50th) | $239,200+ | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $239,200+ | |
| 90th percentile | $239,200+ | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for psychiatrists (SOC 29-1223), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Psychiatrist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Psychiatrists earn the most in Arizona at $239,200+ a year, and the least in West Virginia at $65,790. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $239,200+ | 450 |
| California | $239,200+ | 4,350 |
| Colorado | $239,200+ | 290 |
| Connecticut | $239,200+ | 430 |
| Illinois | $239,200+ | 650 |
| Indiana | $239,200+ | 390 |
| Iowa | $239,200+ | 220 |
| Kansas | $239,200+ | 80 |
| Louisiana | $239,200+ | 110 |
| Maine | $239,200+ | 100 |
| Maryland | $239,200+ | 620 |
| Michigan | $239,200+ | 520 |
| Minnesota | $239,200+ | 610 |
| Missouri | $239,200+ | 350 |
| New Jersey | $239,200+ | 890 |
| New Mexico | $239,200+ | 130 |
| North Carolina | $239,200+ | 360 |
| North Dakota | $239,200+ | 30 |
| Ohio | $239,200+ | 720 |
| Oklahoma | $239,200+ | 100 |
| Oregon | $239,200+ | 360 |
| Pennsylvania | $239,200+ | 850 |
| Rhode Island | $239,200+ | 280 |
| South Dakota | $239,200+ | 50 |
| Texas | $239,200+ | 1,030 |
| Utah | $239,200+ | 130 |
| Vermont | $239,200+ | 120 |
| Virginia | $239,200+ | 390 |
| Washington | $239,200+ | 420 |
| Wisconsin | $239,200+ | 570 |
| Delaware | $236,740 | 80 |
| Kentucky | $229,630 | 200 |
| Nebraska | $229,240 | N/A |
| Georgia | $229,190 | 460 |
| New York | $228,580 | 3,850 |
| Massachusetts | $221,160 | 1,210 |
| New Hampshire | $211,370 | 110 |
| Hawaii | $203,440 | 120 |
| Nevada | $202,860 | 60 |
| Arkansas | $195,430 | 90 |
| Mississippi | $195,210 | 100 |
| District of Columbia | $193,470 | 240 |
| Tennessee | $166,470 | 300 |
| Alaska | $140,650 | 40 |
| South Carolina | $135,530 | 120 |
| West Virginia | $65,790 | 60 |
State median wages for psychiatrists (SOC 29-1223), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for psychiatrists
The BLS projects employment of psychiatrists to grow 7.2% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 30,000 jobs in 2025 moving toward 32,100 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 900 openings a year for psychiatrists. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a psychiatrist
The typical entry-level education for psychiatrists is a doctoral or professional degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete an internship or residency to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a psychiatrist earns
Specialty, work setting, shift differentials, certifications, and region drive the numbers. Hospitals, surgical settings, and high cost metros pay above clinics and rural facilities.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Arizona, $239,200+) and the lowest (West Virginia, $65,790) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 24,800 people work as psychiatrists in the United States. At $239,200+ a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Psychiatrist salary FAQ
How much does a psychiatrist make an hour?
Psychiatrists are generally salaried rather than paid by the hour, so the BLS does not publish an hourly wage for this job. The median annual salary is $239,200+.
What is the highest psychiatrist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of psychiatrists earn more than $239,200+ per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a psychiatrist make a year?
The median annual salary for a psychiatrist is $239,200+. The average (mean) wage of $269,120 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a psychiatrist a well paid job?
At $239,200+ a year, a psychiatrist earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 24,800 people work as psychiatrists in the United States.
Which state pays psychiatrists the most?
Arizona has the highest median salary for psychiatrists at $239,200+ a year. California ($239,200+) and Colorado ($239,200+) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a psychiatrist a good career?
Employment of psychiatrists is projected to grow 7.2% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 900 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a psychiatrist?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for psychiatrists as a doctoral or professional degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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