Psychiatrist salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Psychiatrists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $170,600 a year ($82.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $103,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $346,750 for the top 10%. That is 39% lower than the national median of $281,870. Pay here is 1% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $168,880. There are 0.12 psychiatrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.67). The average (mean) salary is $180,920, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for psychiatrists in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $103,960 | $49.98 |
| 25th percentile | $131,320 | $63.14 |
| Median | $170,600 | $82.02 |
| 75th percentile | $180,700 | $86.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $346,750 | $166.71 |
| Average (mean) | $180,920 | $86.98 |
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 | $14,216.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $7,108.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,561.54 |
| Weekly | $3,280.77 |
| Hourly | $82.02 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $170,600 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Psychiatrist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $277,010 | 50 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $169,850 | 100 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $168,880 | 130 |
| Asheville, NC | $164,520 | 50 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $155,250 | 40 |
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 |
See Psychiatrist pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,300 | $63.61 |
| Pharmacist | $141,360 | $67.96 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,240 | $48.19 |
| Physician Assistant | $132,670 | $63.79 |
| Occupational Therapist | $83,160 | $39.98 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $83,460 | $40.13 |
| Dental Hygienist | $101,460 | $48.78 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $74,630 | $35.88 |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $123,280 | $59.27 |
| Veterinarian | $132,500 | $63.70 |
| Dentists, General | $208,490 | $100.24 |
| Acupuncturist | $89,990 | $43.26 |
| Audiologist | $92,470 | $44.46 |
| Recreational Therapist | $53,100 | $25.53 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for psychiatrists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $170,600 a year, or $82.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $103,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $346,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid psychiatrists make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of psychiatrists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $346,750 a year. The top 25% earn $180,700 or more.
What is the starting pay for psychiatrists in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $103,960 a year, and a quarter of psychiatrists earn $131,320 or less.
How many psychiatrists work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 40 psychiatrists are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.