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Neuropsychologist vs psychiatrist

The differences between neuropsychologists and psychiatrists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a neuropsychologist, becoming a psychiatrist takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a psychiatrist has an average salary of $229,034, which is higher than the $94,580 average annual salary of a neuropsychologist.

The top three skills for a neuropsychologist include rehabilitation, APA and veterans. The most important skills for a psychiatrist are patients, diagnosis, and patient care.

Neuropsychologist vs psychiatrist overview

NeuropsychologistPsychiatrist
Yearly salary$94,580$229,034
Hourly rate$45.47$110.11
Growth rate6%7%
Number of jobs11,65129,979
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 41%Doctoral Degree, 32%
Average age4748
Years of experience46

What does a neuropsychologist do?

Neuropsychologists are neurology experts who are responsible for conducting evaluations to characterize the behavioral and cognitive changes in the brain due to central nervous system disease or injury. These neuropsychologists must work with doctors and neurologists to evaluate and treat people who are diagnosed with various types of nervous system disorders such as Parkinson's disease. They must perform a variety of tests on patients suffering from problems with brain function to help assess the function problem. Neuropsychologists must also participate in training for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI).

What does a psychiatrist do?

A Psychiatrist is a medical practitioner specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. They treat patients utilizing psychotherapeutic methods and medications.

Neuropsychologist vs psychiatrist salary

Neuropsychologists and psychiatrists have different pay scales, as shown below.

NeuropsychologistPsychiatrist
Average salary$94,580$229,034
Salary rangeBetween $63,000 And $140,000Between $133,000 And $393,000
Highest paying CitySacramento, CAFargo, ND
Highest paying stateNevadaAlaska
Best paying companyHighmarkYuma Regional Medical Center
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between neuropsychologist and psychiatrist education

There are a few differences between a neuropsychologist and a psychiatrist in terms of educational background:

NeuropsychologistPsychiatrist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 41%Doctoral Degree, 32%
Most common majorClinical PsychologyMedicine
Most common collegeColumbia University in the City of New YorkDuke University

Neuropsychologist vs psychiatrist demographics

Here are the differences between neuropsychologists' and psychiatrists' demographics:

NeuropsychologistPsychiatrist
Average age4748
Gender ratioMale, 26.6% Female, 73.4%Male, 44.6% Female, 55.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.1% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 4.2% White, 75.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 5.3% Unknown, 2.8% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 18.0% White, 64.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage20%10%

Differences between neuropsychologist and psychiatrist duties and responsibilities

Neuropsychologist example responsibilities.

  • Provide consultation services to hospital staff including behavioral-management plans for brain-injure patients and co-treatment sessions with rehabilitation therapists.
  • Participate in training for PTSD and TBI treatment, group supervision, and program development working groups.
  • Develop program providing hospital base educational services for inpatient children and adolescents in acute TBI rehabilitation unit.
  • Develop cognitive behaviorally-base educational module for post-surgery patients.
  • Have some experience building outpatient programs within large scale neurosciences initiative, and would enjoy opportunities to expand this skill set.
  • Attend weekly meetings for DBT treatment providers.
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Psychiatrist example responsibilities.

  • Provide psychiatric evaluations, diagnosis and treatment, including prescribing and administering psychotropic medications, conduct individual and group psychotherapy.
  • Case load includes children, adolescents and adults.
  • Provide accurate, timely and complete documentation in the EMR.
  • Conduct full neurological evaluation, including lab, MRI & /or EEG.
  • Work closely with Medicaid in areas of compliance needs and information of the clients.
  • Create multidisciplinary team (psychiatrist, psychologist, nurse, marriage family therapist) to spear head new veterans parenting class.
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Neuropsychologist vs psychiatrist skills

Common neuropsychologist skills
  • Rehabilitation, 31%
  • APA, 13%
  • Veterans, 11%
  • Autism, 10%
  • Brain Injury, 9%
  • TBI, 7%
Common psychiatrist skills
  • Patients, 32%
  • Diagnosis, 11%
  • Patient Care, 5%
  • Mental Illness, 5%
  • Psychiatric Services, 5%
  • EMR, 4%

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