Jobs Similar to Psychiatrists
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to psychiatrists, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses, Clinical Neuropsychologists and Genetic Counselors.
Psychiatrists: $281,870 median pay · usual preparation: Graduate degree.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
| # | Career | Similarity | Median pay (vs. Psychiatrists) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Advanced Practice Psychiatric NursesSame group | 86% | $97,550Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 2 | Clinical Neuropsychologists | 85% | $110,840Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 3 | Genetic Counselors | 85% | $100,040−65% | Graduate degree |
| 4 | Nurse PractitionersSame group | 84% | $132,300−53% | Graduate degree |
| 5 | NeurologistsSame group | 84% | $248,560−12% | Graduate degree |
| 6 | Neuropsychologists | 84% | $110,840Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 7 | Preventive Medicine PhysiciansSame group | 84% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 8 | Pediatricians, GeneralSame group | 84% | $210,040−25% | Graduate degree |
| 9 | Physician AssistantsSame group | 83% | $135,880−52% | Graduate degree |
| 10 | Family Medicine PhysiciansSame group | 83% | $244,180−13% | Graduate degree |
| 11 | Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | 83% | $100,580−64% | Graduate degree |
| 12 | HospitalistsSame group | 83% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 13 | Clinical Nurse SpecialistsSame group | 82% | $97,550Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 14 | Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary | 82% | $80,250−72% | Graduate degree |
| 15 | General Internal Medicine PhysiciansSame group | 82% | $256,560−9% | Graduate degree |
| 16 | Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation PhysiciansSame group | 82% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 17 | Nurse MidwivesSame group | 82% | $134,040−52% | Graduate degree |
| 18 | Naturopathic PhysiciansSame group | 81% | $115,210Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 19 | PharmacistsSame group | 81% | $140,910−50% | Graduate degree |
| 20 | Dietitians and NutritionistsSame group | 81% | $76,400−73% | Graduate degree |
- 1Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses
86% similar · $97,550 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 2Clinical Neuropsychologists
85% similar · $110,840 (broader group) · Graduate degree
- 3Genetic Counselors
85% similar · $100,040 (−65%) · Graduate degree
- 4Nurse Practitioners
84% similar · $132,300 (−53%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 5Neurologists
84% similar · $248,560 (−12%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 6Neuropsychologists
84% similar · $110,840 (broader group) · Graduate degree
- 7Preventive Medicine Physicians
84% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 8Pediatricians, General
84% similar · $210,040 (−25%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 9Physician Assistants
83% similar · $135,880 (−52%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 10Family Medicine Physicians
83% similar · $244,180 (−13%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 11Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
83% similar · $100,580 (−64%) · Graduate degree
- 12Hospitalists
83% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 13Clinical Nurse Specialists
82% similar · $97,550 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 14Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary
82% similar · $80,250 (−72%) · Graduate degree
- 15General Internal Medicine Physicians
82% similar · $256,560 (−9%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 16Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians
82% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 17Nurse Midwives
82% similar · $134,040 (−52%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 18Naturopathic Physicians
81% similar · $115,210 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 19Pharmacists
81% similar · $140,910 (−50%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 20Dietitians and Nutritionists
81% similar · $76,400 (−73%) · Graduate degree · Same group
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for psychiatrists also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Questions about jobs like psychiatrists
What jobs are most similar to psychiatrists?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses (86% similar), Clinical Neuropsychologists (85% similar), Genetic Counselors (85% similar), Nurse Practitioners (84% similar) and Neurologists (84% similar).
Do jobs like psychiatrists pay more?
None of the 20 most similar careers has a higher BLS median pay than psychiatrists where a direct comparison is possible.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.