Psychiatrists
Diagnose, treat, and help prevent mental disorders.
Also called: Addiction Psychiatrist, Adolescent Psychiatrist, Adult Inpatient Psychiatrist, Adult Outpatient Psychiatrist, Adult Psychiatrist, Attending Psychiatrist
Median pay
$281,870
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$84,060 – $446,520
People employed
27,980
Holland code
ISC
Investigative · Social · Conventional
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you want the same hours every week?
- 2.Are you OK working more than 40 hours a week?
- 3.Do you work well under tight deadlines?
- 4.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
- 5.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
- 6.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 7.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
- 8.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
- Dealing with conflict is part of the job
- May deal with aggressive people
Psychiatrists pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (45 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What psychiatrists do
- 01Prescribe, direct, or administer psychotherapeutic treatments or medications to treat mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders.
- 02Gather and maintain patient information and records, including social or medical history obtained from patients, relatives, or other professionals.
- 03Collaborate with physicians, psychologists, social workers, psychiatric nurses, or other professionals to discuss treatment plans and progress.
- 04Counsel outpatients or other patients during office visits.
- 05Analyze and evaluate patient data or test findings to diagnose nature or extent of mental disorder.
- 06Examine or conduct laboratory or diagnostic tests on patients to provide information on general physical condition or mental disorder.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
Knowledge
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Therapy and Counseling
- Psychology
- Biology
- English Language
Work styles that stand out
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Cooperation
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a graduate degree (O*NET Job Zone 5).
- Related work experience: over 4 years, up to and including 6 years.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
- A professional certification is often expected.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from psychiatrists
- Genetic Counselors64% · −65%
- Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary57% · −72%
- Marriage and Family Therapists55% · −76%
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers55% · −79%
- Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary55% · −71%
Majors that lead here
- Medicine
- Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy
- Family Medicine/Psychiatry Combined Specialty Program
- Internal Medicine/Psychiatry Combined Specialty Program
- Pediatrics/Psychology/Child-Adolescent Psychology Combined Specialty Program
- Psychiatry/Neurology Combined Specialty Program
- Psychiatry Residency Program
- Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship Program
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Program
- Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Fellowship Program
- Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship Program
- Geriatric Psychiatry Fellowship Program
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.