Psychiatrist salary in North Carolina
Psychiatrists in North Carolina earn a median of $168,880 a year ($81.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 620 workers.
Pay ranges from $101,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $297,250 for the top 10%. That is 40% lower than the national median of $281,870. North Carolina ranks 42nd of 46 states for psychiatrists pay. There are 0.13 psychiatrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.70). The average (mean) salary is $201,840, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for psychiatrists in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $101,080 | $48.60 |
| 25th percentile | $133,240 | $64.06 |
| Median | $168,880 | $81.19 |
| 75th percentile | $266,850 | $128.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $297,250 | $142.91 |
| Average (mean) | $201,840 | $97.04 |
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 | $14,073.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $7,036.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,495.38 |
| Weekly | $3,247.69 |
| Hourly | $81.19 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Psychiatrist salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $277,010 | 50 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $170,600 | 40 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $84,350 | $40.56 |
| Physicians, All Other | $260,330 | $125.16 |
| Pharmacist | $138,860 | $66.76 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,990 | $62.01 |
| Physician Assistant | $129,360 | $62.19 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,910 | $48.03 |
| Dental Hygienist | $97,850 | $47.04 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,460 | $41.57 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $80,090 | $38.51 |
| Occupational Therapist | $92,940 | $44.68 |
| Dentists, General | $207,000 | $99.52 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $224,610 | $107.99 |
| Veterinarian | $129,240 | $62.14 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $67,560 | $32.48 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for psychiatrists in North Carolina is $168,880 a year, or $81.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $101,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $297,250 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid psychiatrists make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of psychiatrists in North Carolina earn at least $297,250 a year. The top 25% earn $266,850 or more.
What is the starting pay for psychiatrists in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $101,080 a year, and a quarter of psychiatrists earn $133,240 or less.
How many psychiatrists work in North Carolina?
About 620 psychiatrists are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.