National Salary Overview
VS
Psychiatrists earns $103,921 more (67.6%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$153,762
$257,684
Average (Mean) Salary
$164,071
$256,354
Total Employment
20,040
26,480
States with Higher Pay
3
37
Salary by State: Physicists vs Psychiatrists
Showing 40 states where both occupations have BLS data. Physicists pays more in 3 states; Psychiatrists pays more in 37.
| State | Physicists | Psychiatrists | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $130,500 | $249,720 | $-119,220 | ||
| Arkansas | $135,820 | $124,750 | +$11,070 | ||
| California | $207,490 | $353,500 | $-146,010 | ||
| Colorado | $104,580 | $266,370 | $-161,790 | ||
| Connecticut | $180,300 | $326,670 | $-146,370 | ||
| Delaware | $82,590 | $279,410 | $-196,820 | ||
| District of Columbia | $157,040 | $183,080 | $-26,040 | ||
| Florida | $225,390 | $316,200 | $-90,810 | ||
| Georgia | $144,870 | $237,480 | $-92,610 | ||
| Hawaii | $117,190 | $289,990 | $-172,800 | ||
| Idaho | $135,150 | $75,470 | +$59,680 | ||
| Illinois | $137,140 | $258,740 | $-121,600 | ||
| Indiana | $105,940 | $284,110 | $-178,170 | ||
| Iowa | $178,110 | $295,270 | $-117,160 | ||
| Kentucky | $180,910 | $237,770 | $-56,860 | ||
| Louisiana | $166,240 | $345,040 | $-178,800 | ||
| Maryland | $174,390 | $305,320 | $-130,930 | ||
| Michigan | $94,520 | $291,850 | $-197,330 | ||
| Minnesota | $171,220 | $336,410 | $-165,190 | ||
| Mississippi | $129,970 | $213,680 | $-83,710 | ||
| Missouri | $140,460 | $312,680 | $-172,220 | ||
| Nevada | $154,030 | $210,030 | $-56,000 | ||
| New Hampshire | $214,030 | $246,140 | $-32,110 | ||
| New Jersey | $163,270 | $194,070 | $-30,800 | ||
| New Mexico | $165,340 | $227,730 | $-62,390 | ||
| New York | $181,970 | $265,890 | $-83,920 | ||
| North Carolina | $174,180 | $168,880 | +$5,300 | ||
| Ohio | $162,900 | $244,990 | $-82,090 | ||
| Oklahoma | $200,050 | $271,640 | $-71,590 | ||
| Oregon | $200,320 | $314,880 | $-114,560 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $210,990 | $278,970 | $-67,980 | ||
| Rhode Island | $155,150 | $287,610 | $-132,460 | ||
| South Carolina | $138,400 | $237,250 | $-98,850 | ||
| South Dakota | $83,050 | $226,180 | $-143,130 | ||
| Tennessee | $165,010 | $214,880 | $-49,870 | ||
| Texas | $184,040 | $228,460 | $-44,420 | ||
| Utah | $156,760 | $299,670 | $-142,910 | ||
| Virginia | $145,040 | $295,010 | $-149,970 | ||
| Washington | $134,790 | $304,920 | $-170,130 | ||
| Wisconsin | $173,120 | $331,070 | $-157,950 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Physicists vs Psychiatrists salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Physicists or Psychiatrists?
On average across all states, a Psychiatrists earns more than a Physicists. The national median salary difference is $103,921 (67.6%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Physicists earn more than a Psychiatrists?
A Physicists earns a higher median salary than a Psychiatrists in 3 out of 40 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Psychiatrists pays more in 37 states.
What is the median salary for a Physicists vs Psychiatrists?
The national median salary for a Physicists is $153,762 per year, compared to $257,684 for a Psychiatrists, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Physicists or Psychiatrists?
There are more people employed as Psychiatrists. BLS reports approximately 20,040 Physicists positions and 26,480 Psychiatrists positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Physicists or Psychiatrists?
Both Physicists and Psychiatrists are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.
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