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The differences between child psychiatrists and forensic psychiatrists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a child psychiatrist and a forensic psychiatrist. Additionally, a child psychiatrist has an average salary of $249,711, which is higher than the $216,927 average annual salary of a forensic psychiatrist.
| Child Psychiatrist | Forensic Psychiatrist | |
| Yearly salary | $249,711 | $216,927 |
| Hourly rate | $120.05 | $104.29 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 38,047 | 12,127 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 32% | Bachelor's Degree, 33% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A child psychiatrist specializes in diagnosing and treating behavioral and psychological issues of children. They develop treatment plans through various assessments and examinations, prescribing medication as needed. Their responsibilities include conducting therapies in an individual or group setting, coordinating with parents and guardians to keep them updated on all procedures and progress, providing consultations for social services and court proceedings, and helping families cope and understand the patient's situation. Furthermore, as a child therapist, it is essential to build rapport with patients, making them feel comfortable every step of the way.
Forensic psychiatrists are medical doctors who are trained in mental health and law. The psychiatrists assess facts and defendants' mental state and report their findings to lawyers. They specifically evaluate the areas of depression, anxiety, hysteria, and psychotic conditions like schizophrenia. Primarily, they provide expert testimony to the jury during trial. Their duties and responsibilities include the assessment of their clients, provision of diagnosis, and the prescription of medication. And to become a successful forensic psychiatrist, one should have strong communication skills and a pleasing manner.
Child psychiatrists and forensic psychiatrists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Child Psychiatrist | Forensic Psychiatrist | |
| Average salary | $249,711 | $216,927 |
| Salary range | Between $152,000 And $408,000 | Between $118,000 And $398,000 |
| Highest paying City | Naperville, IL | - |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | - |
| Best paying company | OSF HealthCare | - |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | - |
There are a few differences between a child psychiatrist and a forensic psychiatrist in terms of educational background:
| Child Psychiatrist | Forensic Psychiatrist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 32% | Bachelor's Degree, 33% |
| Most common major | Medicine | Biology |
| Most common college | Columbia University in the City of New York | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between child psychiatrists' and forensic psychiatrists' demographics:
| Child Psychiatrist | Forensic Psychiatrist | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 48.8% Female, 51.2% | Male, 58.3% Female, 41.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.9% Unknown, 2.4% Hispanic or Latino, 6.2% Asian, 19.4% White, 68.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 3.9% Unknown, 2.4% Hispanic or Latino, 6.2% Asian, 19.4% White, 68.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |