Psychiatrist vs Psychologist
Psychiatrists earn $170,300 more than psychologists on average (199.6% higher). Compare salaries, skills, education, and career outlook side by side.
Psychiatrist
$255,630
median salary
Psychologist
$85,330
median salary
Salary Comparison
| Metric | Psychiatrist | Psychologist |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $255,630 | $85,330 |
| Mean Salary | $270,400 | $96,350 |
| Entry Level | $125,000 | $52,000 |
| Mid Level | $258,000 | $88,000 |
| Senior Level | $385,000 | $145,000 |
| 10th Percentile | $120,000 | $48,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $400,000 | $155,000 |
Career Details
Psychiatrist Healthcare
Psychiatrists diagnose and treat mental health disorders using medication management, psychotherapy, and other approaches.
Education Doctoral degree
Growth Rate 7% (faster than average)
Total Employed 27,500
Key Skills
PsychiatryPsychopharmacologyCBT/DBTDiagnosisPatient AssessmentDocumentation
Typical Duties
- Diagnose mental health disorders
- Prescribe psychiatric medications
- Provide psychotherapy
- Develop treatment plans
- Consult with other providers
Psychologist Healthcare
Psychologists diagnose and treat mental health conditions and conduct research on cognitive and emotional functioning.
Education Doctoral degree
Growth Rate 6% (faster than average)
Total Employed 192,300
Key Skills
PsychotherapyPsychological AssessmentCBT/DBTResearch MethodsClinical DocumentationEthics
Typical Duties
- Assess mental health disorders
- Provide psychotherapy
- Develop treatment plans
- Conduct psychological testing
- Research human behavior
Top 5 Paying States
Summary: Psychiatrist vs Psychologist
Psychiatrists earn a median salary of $255,630 compared to $85,330 for psychologists — a difference of $170,300 (199.6%). Psychiatrist also has stronger job growth at 7% vs 6%.