Psychiatrists
SOC Code: 29-1223
Psychiatrists carries a 19% AI exposure score (Low automation risk) and +6.1% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 27,100 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 19% AI exposure, Psychiatrists sits 18 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 5% of them. It ranks among the more AI-resilient roles in the dataset.
Where Psychiatrists sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Psychiatrists has ai exposure of 19%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Psychiatrists vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Psychiatrists is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Psychiatrists (SOC 29-1223) carries an AI exposure score of 19%, placing it in the Low automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 27,100 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +6.1% change through 2034 - modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Entry typically requires Doctoral or professional degree, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Psychiatrists. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Prescribe, direct, or administer psychotherapeutic treatments or medications to treat mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders.
- 2. Gather and maintain patient information and records, including social or medical history obtained from patients, relatives, or other professionals.
- 3. Design individualized care plans, using a variety of treatments.
- 4. Collaborate with physicians, psychologists, social workers, psychiatric nurses, or other professionals to discuss treatment plans and progress.
- 5. Analyze and evaluate patient data or test findings to diagnose nature or extent of mental disorder.
- 6. Examine or conduct laboratory or diagnostic tests on patients to provide information on general physical condition or mental disorder.
- 7. Counsel outpatients or other patients during office visits.
- 8. Advise or inform guardians, relatives, or significant others of patients' conditions or treatment.
- 9. Teach, take continuing education classes, attend conferences or seminars, or conduct research and publish findings to increase understanding of mental, emotional, or behavioral states or disorders.
- 10. Review and evaluate treatment procedures and outcomes of other psychiatrists or medical professionals.
Key Skills Required
- Active Listening
- Social Perceptiveness
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
- Science
Knowledge Areas
- Therapy and Counseling
- Psychology
- Medicine and Dentistry
- English Language
- Biology
- Education and Training
- Customer and Personal Service
- Sociology and Anthropology
- Administration and Management
- Philosophy and Theology
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Psychiatrists?
Psychiatrists has an AI exposure score of 19%, indicating a low level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Psychiatrists?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Psychiatrists is projected to grow by 6.1% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 27,100 workers.
What skills are needed for Psychiatrists?
Key skills for Psychiatrists include Active Listening, Social Perceptiveness, Speaking, and others. Typical entry-level education is Doctoral or professional degree.
How much do Psychiatrists earn?
Wage data for Psychiatrists varies by region, experience, and employer. The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes median wage estimates in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Psychiatrists?
The typical entry-level education for Psychiatrists is Doctoral or professional degree. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Internship/residency. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Psychiatrists?
Psychiatrists roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Low automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).