Pay by Role
United States · Salary comparison

Psychiatrist vs Surgeon salary

In United States, a surgeon earns about 44% more than a psychiatrist $433,000 vs $301,000 per year.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Healthcare
Psychiatrist
$301,000/yr
Monthly
$25,100
Hourly
$145
Range
$206,200$416,900
10-yr outlook
+8%
Pays more
Healthcare
Surgeon
$433,000/yr
Monthly
$36,100
Hourly
$208
Range
$277,100$623,500
10-yr outlook
+3%

Pay range, side by side

PercentilePsychiatristSurgeon
Entry (10th)$206,200$277,100
25th$253,600$355,100
Median$301,000$433,000
75th$358,900$528,300
Senior (90th)$416,900$623,500

National United States figures in USD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a psychiatrist or surgeon earn more in United States?
A surgeon earns more, at about $433,000 per year vs $301,000 for a psychiatrist — roughly 44% ($132,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in United States?
A psychiatrist typically earns $206,200–$416,900, while a surgeon earns $277,100–$623,500 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in United States?
On a monthly basis before tax, a psychiatrist averages about $25,100 and a surgeon about $36,100.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in United States, a psychiatrist earns about $206,200 while a surgeon earns about $277,100 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in United States, a psychiatrist earns about $416,900 while a surgeon earns about $623,500 per year.
Are psychiatrist and surgeon similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Healthcare category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.