Psychiatrist salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Psychiatrists in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn a median of $335,620 a year ($161.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 310 workers.
Pay ranges from $156,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $439,510 for the top 10%. That is 19% higher than the national median of $281,870. Pay here is 5% lower than the California statewide median of $353,500. There are 0.20 psychiatrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $309,660, close to the median.
Pay range for psychiatrists in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $156,960 | $75.46 |
| 25th percentile | $185,280 | $89.08 |
| Median | $335,620 | $161.36 |
| 75th percentile | $426,950 | $205.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $439,510 | $211.30 |
| Average (mean) | $309,660 | $148.88 |
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 | $27,968.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $13,984.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $12,908.46 |
| Weekly | $6,454.23 |
| Hourly | $161.36 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $335,620 salary, see how much house you can afford 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $370,510 | 1,610 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $364,530 | 490 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $353,500 | 250 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $337,970 | 30 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $333,300 | 60 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $331,800 | 130 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $322,750 | 60 |
| Fresno, CA | $315,470 | 140 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $299,990 | 70 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $230,560 | 320 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $230,560 | n/a |
| Salinas, CA | $178,630 | 40 |
| Modesto, CA | $151,270 | 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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $139,520 | $67.08 |
| Physicians, All Other | $323,050 | $155.31 |
| Pharmacist | $165,130 | $79.39 |
| Physical Therapist | $113,850 | $54.74 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $163,860 | $78.78 |
| Dental Hygienist | $123,790 | $59.52 |
| Dentists, General | $158,160 | $76.04 |
| Occupational Therapist | $121,680 | $58.50 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $119,690 | $57.55 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $105,040 | $50.50 |
| Physician Assistant | $165,160 | $79.41 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $295,530 | $142.08 |
| Veterinarian | $159,750 | $76.80 |
| Chiropractor | $51,990 | $25.00 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
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 San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The median salary for psychiatrists in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $335,620 a year, or $161.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $156,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $439,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid psychiatrists make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The top 10% of psychiatrists in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn at least $439,510 a year. The top 25% earn $426,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for psychiatrists in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $156,960 a year, and a quarter of psychiatrists earn $185,280 or less.
How many psychiatrists work in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
About 310 psychiatrists are employed in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.