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Psychiatrists

Typical education: Doctoral or professional degreeHigh pressure Bright Outlook

What they do

Diagnose, treat, and help prevent mental disorders.

Kinds of work

  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.
  • Social: Helping, teaching, caring for and supporting other people.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.

High pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $281,870 Median per year · $135.51/hr Most earn $84,060–$446,520

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Prescribe, direct, or administer psychotherapeutic treatments or medications to treat mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders.
  • Prescribe, direct, or administer psychotherapeutic treatments or medications to treat mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders.
  • Collaborate with physicians, psychologists, social workers, psychiatric nurses, or other professionals to discuss treatment plans and progress.
  • Counsel outpatients or other patients during office visits.
  • Analyze and evaluate patient data or test findings to diagnose nature or extent of mental disorder.
  • Advise or inform guardians, relatives, or significant others of patients' conditions or treatment.

Job outlook

Bright Outlook Rapid Growth

United States
7% more jobs by 2035, faster than average · about 900 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Offices of physicians29.7%
  • General medical and surgical hospitals16.6%
  • Outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers7.6%
  • Colleges, universities, and professional schools6.5%
  • Offices of mental health practitioners (except physicians)6.2%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 4 to 6 years

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Doctoral or professional degreeExperience before this job: 4 to 6 years

Psychiatry is not an entry-level job. Most people spend about 12 years after high school in college, medical school, and residency training before practicing on their own.

  1. Bachelor's degree (psychology, biology, or another science)

    4 years

    Take the science courses medical schools require, such as biology, chemistry, and psychology, and keep your grades strong so you can apply to medical school.

  2. Medical school (MD or DO)

    4 years

    Learn medicine broadly, including how the brain and mental illness work, and complete rotations in different specialties, including psychiatry.

  3. Psychiatry residency

    4 years

    Train in a hospital or clinic under supervision, treating patients with mental health conditions and building the hands-on experience you need to practice independently.

  4. Psychiatrist

    Ongoing

    Diagnose, treat, and help prevent mental disorders using therapy, medication, and other care plans.

Where it can lead

  1. Medical Director

    5-10 years of experience first

    Lead a clinic or mental health program's medical staff and decisions, which usually requires strong clinical experience plus leadership and management skills.

  2. Psychiatry Department Chair

    10+ years of experience first

    Oversee an entire psychiatry department at a hospital or medical school, combining clinical work, teaching, research, and administration.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take biology, chemistry, and psychologyThese classes build the science foundation medical school requires and give you a first look at how the mind and behavior work.
  • Volunteer at a hospital or community clinicHelping in a health setting shows you what patient care is like and looks good on future applications.
  • Join a science, debate, or health-related clubClubs build teamwork, public speaking, and research skills that all help in medicine.
  • Get a job working with people, such as tutoring or camp counselingPracticing patience, listening, and explaining things clearly prepares you for talking with patients and families.

In college

  • Major in psychology or biology and complete pre-med requirementsPsychology gives you a direct look at mental health, and biology covers the science courses medical schools require.
  • Work as a research assistant in a psychology or neuroscience labLab experience shows you how mental health research is done and strengthens your medical school application.
  • Volunteer at a crisis line or mental health organizationSupporting people in difficult moments builds empathy and gives you real exposure to mental health care.
  • Shadow physicians or psychiatristsFollowing doctors through their workday helps you confirm your interest and understand what the career involves.
  • Take statistics and join a pre-med or psychology student groupStatistics helps you read medical research, and student groups connect you with advisors and peers on the same path.

Tips for getting started

  • Shadow a psychiatrist or spend time in a mental health clinic to see the daily work up close before committing to the long training path.
  • Get comfortable with science and people at the same time: strong grades in biology and chemistry matter for medical school, and good communication matters for every patient you will see.
  • Look into your college's pre-med advising office early; they can help you plan courses, applications, and experiences.

Related jobs that often lead here

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

  • Medicine Professional degree: typical pay 1 year after finishing $65,192 a year · typical debt $207,472

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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