Helping patients deal with emotional issues such as depression, abuse and drug dependence, psychiatrists mix talk therapy with prescription medication. While some psychiatrists specialize in areas such as child issues or eating disorders, others take on a variety of patients. For the approximately 400 psychiatrists serving the state of Missouri, salaries are not on par with national averages.
Facts
Across the country, psychiatrists earned an average salary of approximately $163,660 per year in 2009, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics wages study. The median earnings for Missouri psychiatrists fell under this average at $155,040, a difference of $8,620 per year.
Ranges
Missouri's lower salaries for psychiatrists may be seen when reviewing the range for the entire field. While the country's average (50 percent) salary was $163,660 in 2009, Missouri's top 90th percentile of psychiatrist salaries took in approximately $166,400 per year. On the other end of the scale, Missouri's lowest earners in the bottom 10th percentile averaged $90,670 per year.
Considerations
The path to earning a salary as a psychiatrist in Missouri is long. Prospective candidates must complete a undergraduate degree, four years of graduate work at one of 133 medical school programs accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education and three to eight years of medical residency. The Liaison accredits four schools in Missouri: Saint Louis University School of Medicine, University of Missouri (both the Columbia School of Medicine and the Kansas City School of Medicine) and Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine. Missouri also requires psychiatrists to be licensed, passing the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination.
Outlook
The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts growth in the field of psychiatry through 2018. The BLS recommends Missouri candidates look into employment in rural areas and low-income parts of the state, which are often underserved by qualified applicants.
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