What Does it Take to Be a Psychiatrist?
Psychiatrist Definition Physicians who diagnose, treat, and help prevent disorders of the mind.
Psychiatrist Responsibilities
- Design individualized care plans, using a variety of treatments.
- Serve on committees to promote or maintain community mental health services or delivery systems.
- 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.
- Prepare and submit case reports or summaries to government or mental health agencies.
- Advise or inform guardians, relatives, or significant others of patients’ conditions or treatment.
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Psychiatrist Needed Skills
When polled, Psychiatrists say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Medical Director
- Medical Doctor (MD)
- Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist
- Psychiatrist
- Outpatient Psychiatrist
Job Demand for Psychiatrists
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 27,500 jobs in the United States for Psychiatrist. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 11.3% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 3,100 new jobs for Psychiatrist by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 1,100 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Psychiatrist are Arizona, Colorado, and Arkansas. Watch out if you plan on working in Rhode Island, Vermont, or South Dakota. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Psychiatrist Average Salary
The salary for Psychiatrists ranges between about $75,590 and $208,000 a year.

Psychiatrists who work in Alaska, Arizona, or California, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Psychiatrists in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $166,220 |
Alaska | $222,310 |
Arizona | $240,660 |
Arkansas | $153,920 |
California | $255,790 |
Colorado | $234,860 |
Connecticut | $258,200 |
District of Columbia | $167,190 |
Florida | $195,400 |
Georgia | $231,410 |
Hawaii | $269,800 |
Illinois | $251,390 |
Indiana | $243,630 |
Iowa | $211,870 |
Kansas | $226,090 |
Kentucky | $210,680 |
Louisiana | $120,090 |
Maine | $256,270 |
Maryland | $215,000 |
Massachusetts | $194,220 |
Michigan | $212,030 |
Minnesota | $250,550 |
Mississippi | $221,060 |
Missouri | $240,300 |
Montana | $167,370 |
Nebraska | $240,180 |
Nevada | $214,980 |
New Hampshire | $212,710 |
New Jersey | $245,990 |
New Mexico | $255,410 |
New York | $208,750 |
North Carolina | $189,190 |
North Dakota | $196,410 |
Ohio | $194,700 |
Oklahoma | $183,930 |
Oregon | $242,020 |
Pennsylvania | $232,990 |
Rhode Island | $224,440 |
South Carolina | $226,120 |
Tennessee | $195,670 |
Texas | $204,480 |
Utah | $145,700 |
Vermont | $186,400 |
Virginia | $198,810 |
Washington | $245,990 |
West Virginia | $166,400 |
Wisconsin | $186,200 |
What Tools do Psychiatrists Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Psychiatrists may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- MEDITECH software
- Epic Systems
- Electronic medical record EMR software
- GE Healthcare Centricity EMR
- Practice management software PMS
- Texas Medical Software SpringCharts EMR
- Allscripts Sunrise Clinical Manager
- ICANotes
- Cerner ProFile
- Epic EpicCare Inpatient Clinical System
- Integrated Systems Management OmniMD
- Netsmart Technologies Avatar Clinical Workstation CWS
- MEDITECH Behavioral Health Clinicals
- ADL Data Systems OptimumClinicals Electronic Health Record
- Advantage Software Psych Advantage
Becoming a Psychiatrist
Individuals working as a Psychiatrist have obtained the following education levels:

How Long Does it Take to Become a Psychiatrist?

Where Psychiatrists Are Employed

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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