Psychiatrists Salary
The median pay for a psychiatrists in District of Columbia is $183,080/year ($88.02/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $45K at the entry level to $304K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $168,148 in real purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,146/month, or 20.7% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across District of Columbia. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $183K get you in District of Columbia?
About psychiatrists
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What this looks like in District of Columbia
Pay for psychiatrists in District of Columbia runs about 35% below the U.S. median of $282K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $2,146/month, 20.8% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost-of-living overall is 9% above the national average (BEA RPP 108.88), so groceries and services cost more too. Lower pay, lower costs, District of Columbia can be a reasonable trade-off for psychiatristss who value affordability over top-dollar markets.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, District of Columbia
Entry-level psychiatrists (10th percentile) start around $45K. Mid-career wages sit at $183K. Top earners bring in $304K or more, a $259K spread from bottom to top.
Psychiatrists salary by metro in District of Columbia
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | $247K | +35% | 550 |
Compare to other states
Track psychiatrists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when District of Columbia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a psychiatrist afford a 2BR apartment alone in District of Columbia?
Yes — at the median salary of $183K, rent takes 20.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,146/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for psychiatrists in District of Columbia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new psychiatrists typically earn — is $45K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,709/month. At HUD’s $2,146/month FMR, rent would take 79% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is psychiatrist a high-paying job in District of Columbia?
Local pay runs 35% below the national median — $183K here vs. $282K nationally.
How does District of Columbia compare to the national average for psychiatrists?
District of Columbia pays $183K median vs. the U.S. average of $282K — that’s -35%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 108.88), the purchasing-power equivalent is $168K — below the national median.
How much do psychiatrists make in District of Columbia?
The median is $183,080 a year, that works out to about $88 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $45,150, and experienced psychiatrists can clear $304,250. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $183K enough to live in District of Columbia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $10,300/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,146/month, which eats 20.8% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a psychiatrists salary go in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia has a Regional Price Parity of 108.88 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median psychiatrists salary is worth about $168,148 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do psychiatrists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.