Psychiatrists Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$113,990
- 25th Percentile — Junior$173,990
- 50th Percentile — Median$353,500
- 75th Percentile — Senior$414,640
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$496,230
Half of Psychiatrists in California earn more than $353,500. The top 10% make $496,230 or more, while entry-level workers start around $113,990.
Psychiatrists in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 5th of 46 states for Psychiatrists pay, at $315,380 per year (16.8% above the U.S. average of $269,940).
- 5,420 people work as Psychiatrists in California — 19.4% of all U.S. Psychiatrists jobs.
- Location quotient 1.66: Psychiatrists jobs are more concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $113,990; the top 10% earn over $496,230.
- Hourly equivalent: $151.62 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Missouri at $345,860.
- Among healthcare jobs in California, Radiologists pays the most ($309,990).
Psychiatrists Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Psychiatrists here earn $315,380 on average, placing the state 5th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $315,380 is roughly equivalent to $222,099 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Missouri ($345,860), Minnesota ($333,320), Florida ($328,060) are the closest alternatives for Psychiatrists weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Healthcare Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Radiologists $309,990/yr California 1.7% vs this role
- Nurse Anesthetists $283,780/yr California 10.0% vs this role
- General Internal Medicine Physicians $273,270/yr California 13.4% vs this role
- Obstetricians and Gynecologists $272,520/yr California 13.6% vs this role
- Surgeons All Other $255,620/yr California 18.9% vs this role
- Family Medicine Physicians $252,930/yr California 19.8% vs this role
- Physicians All Other $249,620/yr California 20.9% vs this role
- Pediatricians General $221,480/yr California 29.8% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Psychiatrists salary in California?
The average Psychiatrists salary in California is $315,380 per year (median $353,500), which is 16.8% above the national average of $269,940.
How does California rank for Psychiatrists pay?
California ranks 5th out of 46 states. The highest-paying state is Missouri ($345,860/yr).
How much do entry-level Psychiatrists make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Psychiatrists in California earn about $113,990 per year and the 25th percentile is $173,990.
How much do Psychiatrists make per hour in California?
About $151.62 per hour, based on the $315,380 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Psychiatrists work in California?
BLS counts 5,420 Psychiatrists jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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