Forensic Psychiatrist Education, Career & Salary

How Much Do Forensic Psychiatrists Make?

According to data from Salary.com from 2023, a forensic psychiatrist earns an average salary of $216,794. Additional salary data by percentile appears below:

• 10th percentile: $173,759
• 25th percentile: $194,268
• 50th percentile: $216,794 (median)
• 75th percentile: $242,502
• 90th percentile: $265,908

The BLS (May 2022) also details the salary percentiles of the 26,500 psychiatrists in the United States. They made an average annual salary of $247,350 with the following percentiles:

• 10th percentile: $66,230
• 25th percentile: $138,890
• 50th percentile: $226,880 (median)
• 75th percentile: >$239,200*
• 90th percentile: >$239,200*

Forensic Psychiatry Salary by Region

As noted above, the location where a forensic psychiatrist works can substantially impact one’s salary. Here are the top-paying states for psychiatrists listed with their corresponding mean salaries (BLS May 2022):

• New Mexico: >$239,200
• Wyoming: >$239,200
• North Dakota: $390,140
• California: $311,950
• Illinois: $308,690

North Dakota stands out as a strong outlier in US BLS data. At first, it may seem counterintuitive that North Dakota would offer such a high salary for a psychiatrist. A closer examination of BLS data strongly suggests why this would be so. States like North Dakota, Wyoming, and New Mexico are highly rural states with both low total populations and population densities. Offering a high salary is one of the best ways for a state facing low interest from qualified candidates to increase that interest. Because rural states often attract comparatively little interest from highly skilled professionals who seek or even need a high salary, psychiatrists seeking a high salary may seek opportunities in these states if these states make appealing offers such as high salaries.

Of the five aforementioned states, one of them, California, has a high cost of living. Individuals seeking to enter a new profession may find the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC 2023) website to be valuable in making career planning decisions. MERIC provides analysis and assistance to both policymakers and the general public through the study of state economic trends, targeted industries, and related labor markets. Among its analyses is a cost of living data series. In 2023, MERIC noted California to be in the top five most expensive states. Though Illinois is considered a low-cost state overall, the city of Chicago is not an inexpensive place to live and work.

The BLS (2022) also reports the top-employing states for psychiatrists as follows:

• California: 5,630 psychiatrists employed
• New York: 4,090
• Florida: 2,600
• Texas: 1,170
• Massachusetts: 990

Forensic Psychiatry Salary by Industry

The top five most lucrative employers for this profession (BLS May 2022):

• Other Ambulatory Healthcare Services: $297,350 annual mean salary
• Outpatient Care Centers: $276,570
• Offices of Physicians: $273,440
• Elementary and secondary schools: $269,160
• Local government, excluding schools and hospitals (OEWS designation): At least $239,200

Top employers of psychiatrists nationwide are as follows (BLS May 2022):

• Offices of Physicians: 8,770 psychiatrists employed
• General Medical and Surgical Hospitals: 4,550
• Outpatient Care Centers: 3,280
• Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Hospitals: 2,930
• State Government, excluding schools and hospitals (OEWS designation): 1,400

How to Become a Forensic Psychiatrist

A forensic psychiatrist ultimately completes an intensive training process to become a licensed, practicing professional. The total time commitment to become a forensic psychiatrist between entry into undergraduate studies and completing a fellowship is often something like twelve years. Once trained in forensic psychiatry, such professionals may pursue more education to specialize their skills further to work in niche areas.

Step 1: High school (four years)

Those aspiring to become forensic psychiatrists will do well to show skill in physical sciences, mathematics, and psychology as early as their high school education. Early experience with the legal system, as evidenced by volunteer work in settings such as a local police department or legal services provider, may put a person on a promising path toward becoming a forensic psychiatrist.

Step 2: Undergraduate degree (four years)

Upon graduating from high school, a person seeking to become a forensic psychiatrist must complete both a formal undergraduate academic degree and medical school. Highly skilled individuals may ultimately complete their undergraduate degree in less than four years, thereby shortening the total time commitment. Those interested in forensics but as yet uncommitted to forensic psychiatry may elect to complete an undergraduate degree in forensic science. Popular bachelor’s degrees for forensics professionals include degrees in chemistry, biology and other natural sciences.

Admissions requirements for many undergraduate programs include official high school transcripts, a satisfactory test score (SAT or ACT, in addition to the TOEFL test for non-native speakers of English), a personal or motivational statement, and an application fee. Students already sure of their interest in forensics should seek out programs accredited by the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC), the country’s predominant program approval body for forensics programs.

Step 3: Medical school (four years)

Forensic psychiatry candidates next complete medical school. Medical school takes four years to complete, with the first two years consisting of academic instruction in classroom and lab settings. In the final two years of medical school, students complete rotations in a number of specializations. These rotations allow them to practice what they’ve learned in clinical settings. They take part in clerkships in many practice areas, including psychiatry.

Step 4: Residency (two years)

After completing medical school, graduates begin a residency program. Residents choose an area of specialization for their residence. In their residencies new doctors practice under the supervision of experienced doctors in their field. Those pursuing a career as a forensic psychiatrist will generally complete a two-year residency program in general psychiatry. During their residency, psychiatrists take exams to become medically licensed doctors in their states.

Step 5: Fellowship (two years)

Having completed their residency training, psychiatrists finally reach the step of further specialization in which they train to become forensic psychiatrists. Development of specialized expertise is accomplished via a fellowship. While a residency in general psychiatry gives new doctors the experience they need to practice as physicians, it is the fellowship stage that ultimately prepares psychiatrists to practice in their specialty. A forensic psychiatry fellowship is typically a two-year program in which a licensed psychiatrist gains specific experience in forensics. Fellowship programs usually feature training requirements in research, practical experience and academic coursework.

Step 6: Board certification (timeline varies)

Having completed their lengthy formal training process, forensic psychiatrists can finally pursue board certification. The particular certification a forensic psychiatrist seeks is called an Initial Certification in Forensic Psychiatry. This certification is provided by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN). The ABPN board certification process involves passing an examination on the forensic psychiatry principles doctors learn during their fellowship. Although such certification is optional, successful completion of this step may help candidates improve their chances of getting a job in the field and more easily pursue additional training later in their careers.

Step 7: Secure employment

After meeting educational and licensure requirements and obtaining board certification, forensic psychiatrists are finally prepared to pursue a job. Forensic psychiatry professionals work in settings including correctional facilities, hospitals, private practices, government, private sector organizations, and research institutes.

Given the variety of career trajectories, there is not necessarily a typical work week for forensic psychiatrists. Such psychiatrists may work evenings, weekdays and holidays. Those doing specialized research or working closely with law enforcement may work irregular work hours, including on-call. Forensic psychiatrists practicing in high-demand job markets may easily exceed traditional full-time (40 hours) employment.

Forensic Psychiatry Certifications

As previously mentioned, forensic psychiatrists can go on to further specialize their skills and work in highly specialized subdisciplines in which they target a specific client population. Several professional organizations provide education, networking, and professional representation services for psychiatrists practicing in varied subspecialties. A summary of some positions and related professional organizations one may encounter within forensic psychiatry appears below.

Child or Adolescent Forensic Psychiatrist

This type of forensic psychiatrist works with individuals in the early stages of their life development. Such psychiatrists may play a critical role in deterring juvenile behavioral issues that could result in serious encounters with the legal system that may cause substantial harm to a person’s future personal and professional development. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry serves as a major professional development and networking organization for this psychiatry subdiscipline. It offers resources including career development guidance, leadership and advocacy skills information, and mentorship and peer support. Such resources can prove vital to newly graduated practitioners just starting out in their careers.

Correctional Psychiatrist

Correctional psychiatry focuses specifically on the practice of medicine for incarcerated patient populations. Until recently, this branch of forensic psychiatry was held in relatively low regard; it was previously often associated with low professional status and poor working conditions. More recent recognition of both the prevalence and severity of mental illness within populations involved in the criminal justice system and how it has often been an underacknowledged public health issue may be leading to a shift in prevailing perceptions. Two organizations play an important role in this psychiatry specialization. They are the National Commission on Correctional Healthcare (NCCHC) and the International Association for Correctional and Forensic Psychology. NCCHC acts as an accreditation organization.

Though previously not held in high esteem in psychiatry, correctional psychiatry is nonetheless a very important specialty. A substantial percentage of forensic psychiatric practice is done for prison populations. Given that the US has one of the highest rates of incarceration among Western societies, this particular specialty is likely to feature numerous job opportunities for the foreseeable future.

Geriatric Forensic Psychiatrist

Geriatric psychiatrists focus on the prevention, evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders in the elderly as well as the improvement of psychiatric care for both healthy and ill elderly patients. When elderly persons become involved in the criminal justice system, they do so more frequently as victims rather than as offenders. Geriatric forensic psychiatrists may be called upon to intervene for evaluation and care purposes when elderly individuals’ behavior becomes problematic to their families, caregivers or third parties. This forensics specialty will likely also have a heightened need for new practitioners in coming years due to the aging demographic of the American populace.

The American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP) is a primary professional organization representing geriatric psychiatry practitioners’ interests and professional training needs. Since its founding in 1978, AAGP has worked to serve members’ patients and their own families, support the training of new professionals, and advocate for research to sustain and improve the mental health of the elderly.

Forensic Psychiatric Researcher

In addition to patient care and advocacy on behalf of incarcerated populations, forensic psychiatrists may also elect to pursue careers focused primarily on research. Given the diversity of patient populations a forensic psychiatrist may treat naturally, there is also an abundance of research topics those devoted to research may pursue.

Forensic psychiatrists who pursue research careers may ultimately find significant professional support through the previously mentioned American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law (AAPL). Given its dedication to excellence not just in practice and teaching but also in research, AAPL can serve as an excellent resource for forensic psychiatrists who seek research-oriented careers.

Addiction Psychiatrist

Substance abuse and addiction issues are other problems that too often can easily lead to affected individuals becoming involved in the legal system. Given the risk to both individual and community health that addiction represents, the field of addiction psychiatry serves a vital function. High rates of substance abuse and addiction within the American populace suggest that this psychiatry specialization will also feature high demand for newly trained individuals in the coming years.

Addiction psychiatrists may have some duties, including counseling patients, partnering with other healthcare and human services professionals in the development and execution of recovery and care plans, performing diagnostic and other testing, conducting research, and facilitating group therapy offerings.

The American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (AAAP) is the premier national professional society dedicated to serving the needs of addiction professionals as well as their patients in the United States. AAAP emphasizes evidence-based prevention, treatment and recovery strategies. The organization’s focus areas include promotion of quality prevention, treatment and recovery, support of addiction psychiatry training programs and related careers, and education of the populace about substance abuse issues and closely related policy problems.

Expert Witness

In addition to the aforementioned specializations, forensic psychiatrists may also apply their skills by serving as an expert witness. An expert witness plays a valuable role by providing critical information in court proceedings that may ultimately prove decisive in the outcomes of such proceedings. Expert witnesses may provide information relevant to a large number of topics, including general psychiatry, psychopharmacology, mood disorders, psychotic disorders, mental illness, trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, sleep disorders, neuropsychiatry, neurology, and much more. Forensic psychiatrists who serve as expert witnesses may have a variety of specialized skills and lengthy experience in those skills. Some skills they may hold include psychiatric evaluation, independent medical examinations, and outpatient services.

There is an important distinction between forensic psychiatrists who serve as expert witnesses and similar practitioners. A treating psychiatrist is ethically required to serve a patient’s best interests. In serving a patient’s interests a treating psychiatrist customarily lacks the independence and objectivity expected of a forensic psychiatrist who serves as an expert witness. In addition, because of their medical school training, expertise, higher status, and capacity for objective analysis, a forensic psychiatrist expert witness is often considered a more credible witness than a forensic psychologist expert witness. Forensic psychiatrists with substantial experience in identifying and treating particular patient populations may be considered even more compelling expert witnesses. Examples of such populations include domestic violence victims, elderly victims of abuse and neglect, and child abuse victims.