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Psychiatrists

A medical doctor who diagnoses and treats mental illness.

Typical education to startDoctoral or professional degree
Job outlook2025–2035: +7%
Median pay$281,870 a year (2025)
Interest codeIS Investigative, Social

Read the full guide

Psychiatrists diagnose conditions like depression, anxiety, ADHD and schizophrenia, prescribe medicine, and provide therapy, in hospitals, clinics and private practice. Unlike psychologists, they are medical doctors.

Open the psychiatrist guide

The guide checks the courses against your plan, with things to try each year. Free account needed.

High school courses that build toward it

  • Health and Wellness · Health and PE

    Builds health and medicine, which this job uses.

  • Anatomy and Physiology · Science

    Builds health and medicine, which this job uses.

  • Psychology · Social Studies

    Builds psychology, which this job uses.

  • Child Development · Career and Technical

    Builds teaching and training, which this job uses.

  • English 10 · English

    Builds reading and writing, which this job uses.

  • Statistics · Math

    Builds math, which this job uses.

Ranked by how much the job relies on what each course teaches, from O*NET's knowledge ratings. Your school's own courses and the counselor have the final word.

Psychiatrists on O*NET OnLine · O*NET 31.0 (U.S. Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0); BLS Employment Projections 2025.