Work Setting Psychiatrists may work as much as 60 hours a week. They are generally on call for 24 hours a day. In hospitals, they may work 40 to 48 hours a week. Self-employed psychiatrists set their own hours. Schedules may include weekends, evenings, and holidays.
Psychiatrists often work with upset, fearful, or depressed people.
The patients and problems they work with depend on the employer and the specialty. Wages vary with level of training, experience, and specialty. Entry level wages may be lower. Outlook Psychiatrists were included in the larger occupational group of physicians and surgeons. There were 8,330 people employed in this group in Indiana in 1996.