Psychiatrists
Diagnose, treat, and help prevent mental disorders.
Also called: Adult Psychiatrist · Child Psychiatrist · Consulting Psychiatrist · Medical Doctor (MD) · Outpatient Psychiatrist · Prison Psychiatrist
Median pay (national)
$239,200+
$77,360–$239,200+ (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
24,800
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+6.1%
~900 openings/yr
Typical entry
Doctoral or professional degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for psychiatrists shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $239,200+ versus $77,360 at the bottom 10% — 3.1x. The median of $239,200+ leaves roughly 0% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +6.1% from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 900 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 46 states with released data, California pays the most for this role (median $239,200, 0% vs the national median), while West Virginia sits lowest at $65,790 — a 264% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
- Science
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Prescribe, direct, or administer psychotherapeutic treatments or medications to treat mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders.
- Gather and maintain patient information and records, including social or medical history obtained from patients, relatives, or other professionals.
- Design individualized care plans, using a variety of treatments.
- Collaborate with physicians, psychologists, social workers, psychiatric nurses, or other professionals to discuss treatment plans and progress.
- Analyze and evaluate patient data or test findings to diagnose nature or extent of mental disorder.
- Examine or conduct laboratory or diagnostic tests on patients to provide information on general physical condition or mental disorder.
- Advise or inform guardians, relatives, or significant others of patients' conditions or treatment.
- Prepare and submit case reports or summaries to government or mental health agencies.
- Counsel outpatients or other patients during office visits.
- Teach, take continuing education classes, attend conferences or seminars, or conduct research and publish findings to increase understanding of mental, emotional, or behavioral states or disorders.
Tools & technology
- eClinicalWorks EHR software
- Epic Systems
- MEDITECH software
- ADL Data Systems OptimumClinicals Electronic Health Record
- Advantage Software Psych Advantage
- Allscripts Sunrise
- Blumenthal Software PBSW24
- Cerner ProFile
- Computer Assisted Diagnostic Interview CADI software
- Electronic medical record EMR software
- Epic EpicCare Inpatient Clinical System
- FifthWalk BillingTracker Pro
- GE Healthcare Centricity EMR
- ICANotes
- Integrated Systems Management OmniMD
- MDofficeManager MediVoxx
Knowledge areas
- Therapy and Counseling
- Psychology
- Medicine and Dentistry
- English Language
- Biology
- Education and Training
- Customer and Personal Service
- Sociology and Anthropology