How to become psychiatristseducation, training, experience and the steps to enter

United States Healthcare Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay
$281,870
25th–75th pct. $154,150–$362,740
Top pay (est.)
$580,500
Top 10% $446,520
Pay in 5 years
$330,100est.
2031
Pay in 10 years
$386,700est.
$332,600–$449,000
Outlook score
67/100
★★★☆☆ Good
AI replacement risk
43%
Moderate
Job growth (10 yr)
+7.2%
900 openings / yr

How to become psychiatrists

Typical education
Doctoral or professional degree
BLS
Related experience
None
On-the-job training
Internship/residency

A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.

Skills, education and requirements for Psychiatrists

Key skills

Social Perceptiveness
5.4
Reading Comprehension
5.0
Active Listening
5.0
Critical Thinking
4.8
Writing
4.5
Speaking
4.2
Active Learning
4.2
Service Orientation
4.2

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Therapy and Counseling
6.6
Psychology
6.6
Medicine and Dentistry
6.3
English Language
5.7
Customer and Personal Service
5.4
Biology
5.3
Education and Training
5.0
Sociology and Anthropology
4.1

What the work involves

Updating and Using Relevant KnowledgeAssisting and Caring for OthersProcessing InformationIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesAnalyzing Data or Information

Important abilities

Oral ComprehensionWritten ExpressionInductive ReasoningProblem SensitivityWritten ComprehensionOral Expression

Education of workers

Post-doctoral training
59%
Doctoral degree
34%
Master's degree
5%
Professional degree
2%

Training before entry

Up to 1 month
44%
4–10 years
29%
None / short demo
17%
1–3 months
7%
1–2 years
3%

Related work experience

4–6 years
58%
1–2 years
30%
2–4 years
7%
Over 10 years
3%
None
2%

Job Zone 5 — extensive preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★★★☆ Demanding (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Career path and how to earn more as psychiatrists

Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data
Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.