Mental Health Clinician Salary

The average salary for psychiatrists and other mental health professionals is $216, 000 per year, which is above what primary care physicians earn but well below with other specialists make.

The results come from the Medscape Physician Compensation Report 2015, which was based on responses from more than 19, 500 physicians. Orthopedists were the highest paid doctors, earning an average of $421, 000 per year. Pediatricians had the lowest annual pay at $189, 500. General practitioners weren't much higher at $195, 000.

Income earned by mental health clinicians rose 10% over the prior year, according to the report. Physicians specializing in HIV and infectious diseases saw the highest increase — 14%. Urologists and rheumatologists actually saw their income decrease slightly by, respectively, 1% and 4%.

Psychiatrists also earned around $10, 000 per year from non-patient care work, such as speaking engagements or serving as expert witnesses.

Mental health clinicians were at the top of the physician list in two areas: percentage of women in the specialty and satisfaction. Women made up 37% of mental health professionals. Overall, 57% of psychiatrists said they were satisfied with their career, though only 50% said they wre glad they chose mental health as their specialty.