Psychiatrist salary in District of Columbia
Psychiatrists in District of Columbia earn a median of $183,080 a year ($88.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 310 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $304,250 for the top 10%. That is 35% lower than the national median of $281,870. District of Columbia ranks 41st of 46 states for psychiatrists pay. There are 0.44 psychiatrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $181,090, close to the median.
Pay range for psychiatrists in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,150 | $21.71 |
| 25th percentile | $71,550 | $34.40 |
| Median | $183,080 | $88.02 |
| 75th percentile | $289,360 | $139.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $304,250 | $146.27 |
| Average (mean) | $181,090 | $87.06 |
Half of psychiatrists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $15,256.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $7,628.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $7,041.54 |
| Weekly | $3,520.77 |
| Hourly | $88.02 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $183,080 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Psychiatrist salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $246,990 | 550 |
Highest-paying states for psychiatrists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $353,500 |
| Louisiana | $345,040 |
| Alaska | $342,170 |
| Minnesota | $336,410 |
| Wisconsin | $331,070 |
| Connecticut | $326,670 |
| Florida | $316,200 |
| Oregon | $314,880 |
| Missouri | $312,680 |
| Maryland | $305,320 |
Related jobs in District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $102,540 | $49.30 |
| Physicians, All Other | $77,430 | $37.23 |
| Pharmacist | $153,400 | $73.75 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $135,880 | $65.33 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,640 | $48.87 |
| Occupational Therapist | $109,170 | $52.49 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $223,250 | $107.33 |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $151,990 | $73.07 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,140 | $64.97 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $111,950 | $53.82 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $109,380 | $52.59 |
| Dental Hygienist | $137,220 | $65.97 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $82,150 | $39.50 |
| Veterinarian | $134,530 | $64.68 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1223. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a psychiatrist make in District of Columbia?
The median salary for psychiatrists in District of Columbia is $183,080 a year, or $88.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $304,250 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid psychiatrists make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of psychiatrists in District of Columbia earn at least $304,250 a year. The top 25% earn $289,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for psychiatrists in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,150 a year, and a quarter of psychiatrists earn $71,550 or less.
How many psychiatrists work in District of Columbia?
About 310 psychiatrists are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.