How much does a psychiatrist make?
The median psychiatrist in the United States earns $281,870 per year, about $135.51 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all psychiatrists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 29-1223.
Psychiatrist salary range
Pay for psychiatrists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $84,060 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $446,520. The average (mean) wage is $269,940, close to the median.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $84,060 | $40.41 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $154,150 | $74.11 | |
| Median (50th) | $281,870 | $135.51 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $362,740 | $174.39 | |
| 90th percentile | $446,520 | $214.67 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for psychiatrists (SOC 29-1223), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Psychiatrist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Psychiatrists earn the most in California at $353,500 a year, and the least in West Virginia at $63,320. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $353,500 | 5,420 |
| Louisiana | $345,040 | 90 |
| Alaska | $342,170 | 50 |
| Minnesota | $336,410 | 580 |
| Wisconsin | $331,070 | 550 |
| Connecticut | $326,670 | 560 |
| Florida | $316,200 | 1,930 |
| Oregon | $314,880 | 430 |
| Missouri | $312,680 | 240 |
| Maryland | $305,320 | 460 |
| Washington | $304,920 | 360 |
| Vermont | $302,770 | 80 |
| Maine | $300,180 | 80 |
| Utah | $299,670 | 260 |
| Iowa | $295,270 | 170 |
| Virginia | $295,010 | 370 |
| Michigan | $291,850 | 560 |
| Hawaii | $289,990 | 170 |
| Rhode Island | $287,610 | 270 |
| Indiana | $284,110 | 410 |
| Delaware | $279,410 | 100 |
| Pennsylvania | $278,970 | 830 |
| Kansas | $278,100 | 60 |
| Oklahoma | $271,640 | 80 |
| Colorado | $266,370 | 270 |
| New York | $265,890 | 4,130 |
| Illinois | $258,740 | 870 |
| Arizona | $249,720 | 380 |
| New Hampshire | $246,140 | 90 |
| Ohio | $244,990 | 690 |
| Kentucky | $237,770 | 160 |
| Georgia | $237,480 | 470 |
| South Carolina | $237,250 | 200 |
| Texas | $228,460 | 1,690 |
| New Mexico | $227,730 | N/A |
| South Dakota | $226,180 | 60 |
| Tennessee | $214,880 | 410 |
| Mississippi | $213,680 | 110 |
| Nevada | $210,030 | 90 |
| New Jersey | $194,070 | 1,290 |
| District of Columbia | $183,080 | 310 |
| North Carolina | $168,880 | 620 |
| Nebraska | $135,180 | 180 |
| Arkansas | $124,750 | 150 |
| Idaho | $75,470 | 110 |
| West Virginia | $63,320 | 90 |
State median wages for psychiatrists (SOC 29-1223), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. 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 (California, $353,500) and the lowest (West Virginia, $63,320) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 27,980 people work as psychiatrists in the United States. At $281,870 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Psychiatrist salary FAQ
How much does a psychiatrist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a psychiatrist is $135.51. The middle half of psychiatrists earn between $74.11 and $174.39 per hour.
What is the highest psychiatrist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of psychiatrists earn more than $446,520 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 $281,870. The average (mean) wage is $269,940, close to the median.
Is being a psychiatrist a well paid job?
At $281,870 a year, a psychiatrist earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 27,980 people work as psychiatrists in the United States.
Which state pays psychiatrists the most?
California has the highest median salary for psychiatrists at $353,500 a year. Louisiana ($345,040) and Alaska ($342,170) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
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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