Psychiatrist Jobs in California
Psychiatrist jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in county behavioral health departments, large integrated health systems, academic medical centers, and community mental health organizations, with openings at every level from newly licensed physicians to senior staff and medical directors. The heaviest hiring is in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, where employers such as Kaiser Permanente, UCLA Health, and Dignity Health maintain large psychiatric departments. Child and adolescent psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, and telepsychiatry are the most in-demand subspecialties across the state. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 110+ Psychiatrist jobs
Who We Are
At ERC Pathlight, we’re on a mission to change lives—and we’re looking for people who feel called to do the same. As one of the nation’s leading treatment providers for eating disorders and mood, anxiety, and trauma-related conditions, we bring innovative, evidence-based, and deeply compassionate care to patients across the country. With multiple locations nationwide and extensive virtual programming, we meet patients exactly where they are and help them move toward lasting recovery. Founded in 2008 by renowned psychiatrists and psychologists, ERC Pathlight now supports more than 6,000 patients each year. And as the need for world-class mental health care continues to rise, our commitment is stronger than ever: to expand access, elevate the standard of care, and empower every patient to rebuild their life with dignity and hope.
Why Join Us
When you join ERC Pathlight, you become part of a team that shows up every day to make a real difference. You’ll work alongside passionate clinicians, dedicated support staff, and mission-driven leaders who believe in collaboration, growth, and doing the right thing—always. Here, your work matters. Your ideas matter. You matter. If you’re energized by purpose, motivated by impact, and ready to help transform the future of mental health treatment, you belong here. Come build hope. Come save lives. Come grow with us.
What You’ll Be Doing
Psychiatrists lead multidisciplinary treatment teams. They diagnose illnesses, prescribe, and administer treatment for people suffering from psychiatric disorders such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders, eating disorders and co-occurring disorders. Psychiatrists meet regularly with patients, prescribe psychotropic medications, provide psychotherapies, determine appropriate level of care and advocate for patient’s best treatment options within health care systems. They also obtain medical histories, and order, perform and interpret diagnostic tests.
Essential Duties
Direct Patient Care Duties:
- Focus on Superior Patient Care by 1) practicing evidence-based, high quality psychiatric medicine; 2) encouraging increased patient understanding, involvement in care, and treatment decisions; 3) achieving and maintaining optimal patient access to care; 4) supporting system efforts towards care improvements, standardization of care, implementation of care guidelines and clinical outcomes research.
- Typical patient load for full time psychiatrists includes an average of 18-24 patients per week, caseload increases when working with a nurse practitioner or physician assistant. Residential and PHP patients are generally seen by psychiatrists twice weekly.
- Complete required documentation thoroughly and in a timely manner. Prepare and maintains complete and accurate charts, case files and records.
- Collaborate on care delivery by 1) including staff, other physicians, and leadership in both service and patient care improvements; 2) treating all teammates with respect; 3) demonstrating the highest levels of ethical and professional conduct; and 4) behaving in a manner consistent with company mission and values; 5) establishing and maintaining contact with referring providers both within that outside of the system; 6) establishing and maintaining contact with family members and patient’s support persons when appropriate.
- Advocate for patients including providing consistent and timely documentation regarding the patient's need for level of care and participating in insurance peer reviews to optimize optimal length of stay for treatment.
Other Responsibilities And Expectations
- Listen and communicate by 1) providing clinical information in a clear and timely manner; 2) requesting information and resources needed to provide care consistent with company goals; and 3) providing and accepting feedback in a respectful manner from all staff.
- Take ownership by 1) providing leadership to improve outcomes, quality, and program quality; 2) working to ensure personal, program and organization compliance with all legal and educational requirements; and 3) steadily improving the efficiency and economic aspects of one’s practice.
- Achieve quality metrics by 1) focusing on clinically relevant outcome measures; 2) adapting company innovations to continuously improve patient care, program, and organizational efficiency.
- Maintains established departmental policies and procedures, quality improvement, safety, environmental and infection control standards.
- Promote positive interpersonal relationships with fellow employees, physicians, patients, families, and visitors. Treat these individuals with courtesy, dignity, empathy, and respect; consistently display courteous and respectful verbal and non-verbal communications.
- Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, receiving current literature, and attending in-service meetings, staff meetings and workshops. Attends, participates in, and contributes to in-services, education, and staff training sessions to maintain/increase skills and teach others.
- Ensure all duties, responsibilities and competencies are conducted in a manner that is effective and appropriate to patients to whom care, service and treatment is being provided.
- Receive individual and group supervision from physician and clinical leaders.
- Evaluate own performance and recognize opportunities for growth.
- Provide community education and engage in marketing efforts when requested.
- Serve as teacher for trainees seeking clinical experience. Serve as clinical supervisor and mentor to staff.
Required Qualifications
- Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
- Graduation from an accredited Medical School and completed Accredited Residency Program and fellowships for specialists or equivalent training
- Physician Board Certified in General Psychiatry and/or Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Licensed to practice medicine in the state(s) seeing patients
- BLS/CPR certifications, Licensures and Registrations
- All certifications for this position must be kept current
- Have knowledge of regulatory body requirements (Joint Commissions, etc.)
The compensation range for this position is based upon candidate experience and market expectations. California Pay Range $285,000 - $315,000 USD
What We Offer
At ERC Pathlight, caring for people is our mission and that begins with caring for our own team. Your well-being matters, and our benefit program is designed to support every part of your life. We offer competitive compensation; comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage; generous Paid Time Off; Parental Leave benefits; Retirement benefits; and tuition reimbursement to help you continue growing in your career. We also recognize that mental health is part of every person’s experience. That’s why we strive to create a workplace where you feel supported, seen, and encouraged—personally, professionally, and at home. When you thrive, you can do your best work. And your best work changes lives.
Who We Are
At ERC Pathlight, we’re on a mission to change lives—and we’re looking for people who feel called to do the same. As one of the nation’s leading treatment providers for eating disorders and mood, anxiety, and trauma-related conditions, we bring innovative, evidence-based, and deeply compassionate care to patients across the country. With multiple locations nationwide and extensive virtual programming, we meet patients exactly where they are and help them move toward lasting recovery. Founded in 2008 by renowned psychiatrists and psychologists, ERC Pathlight now supports more than 6,000 patients each year. And as the need for world-class mental health care continues to rise, our commitment is stronger than ever: to expand access, elevate the standard of care, and empower every patient to rebuild their life with dignity and hope.
Why Join Us
When you join ERC Pathlight, you become part of a team that shows up every day to make a real difference. You’ll work alongside passionate clinicians, dedicated support staff, and mission-driven leaders who believe in collaboration, growth, and doing the right thing—always. Here, your work matters. Your ideas matter. You matter. If you’re energized by purpose, motivated by impact, and ready to help transform the future of mental health treatment, you belong here. Come build hope. Come save lives. Come grow with us.
What You’ll Be Doing
Psychiatrists lead multidisciplinary treatment teams. They diagnose illnesses, prescribe, and administer treatment for people suffering from psychiatric disorders such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders, eating disorders and co-occurring disorders. Psychiatrists meet regularly with patients, prescribe psychotropic medications, provide psychotherapies, determine appropriate level of care and advocate for patient’s best treatment options within health care systems. They also obtain medical histories, and order, perform and interpret diagnostic tests.
Essential Duties
Direct Patient Care Duties:
- Focus on Superior Patient Care by 1) practicing evidence-based, high quality psychiatric medicine; 2) encouraging increased patient understanding, involvement in care, and treatment decisions; 3) achieving and maintaining optimal patient access to care; 4) supporting system efforts towards care improvements, standardization of care, implementation of care guidelines and clinical outcomes research.
- Typical patient load for full time psychiatrists includes an average of 18-24 patients per week, caseload increases when working with a nurse practitioner or physician assistant. Residential and PHP patients are generally seen by psychiatrists twice weekly.
- Complete required documentation thoroughly and in a timely manner. Prepare and maintains complete and accurate charts, case files and records.
- Collaborate on care delivery by 1) including staff, other physicians, and leadership in both service and patient care improvements; 2) treating all teammates with respect; 3) demonstrating the highest levels of ethical and professional conduct; and 4) behaving in a manner consistent with company mission and values; 5) establishing and maintaining contact with referring providers both within that outside of the system; 6) establishing and maintaining contact with family members and patient’s support persons when appropriate.
- Advocate for patients including providing consistent and timely documentation regarding the patient's need for level of care and participating in insurance peer reviews to optimize optimal length of stay for treatment.
Other Responsibilities And Expectations
- Listen and communicate by 1) providing clinical information in a clear and timely manner; 2) requesting information and resources needed to provide care consistent with company goals; and 3) providing and accepting feedback in a respectful manner from all staff.
- Take ownership by 1) providing leadership to improve outcomes, quality, and program quality; 2) working to ensure personal, program and organization compliance with all legal and educational requirements; and 3) steadily improving the efficiency and economic aspects of one’s practice.
- Achieve quality metrics by 1) focusing on clinically relevant outcome measures; 2) adapting company innovations to continuously improve patient care, program, and organizational efficiency.
- Maintains established departmental policies and procedures, quality improvement, safety, environmental and infection control standards.
- Promote positive interpersonal relationships with fellow employees, physicians, patients, families, and visitors. Treat these individuals with courtesy, dignity, empathy, and respect; consistently display courteous and respectful verbal and non-verbal communications.
- Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, receiving current literature, and attending in-service meetings, staff meetings and workshops. Attends, participates in, and contributes to in-services, education, and staff training sessions to maintain/increase skills and teach others.
- Ensure all duties, responsibilities and competencies are conducted in a manner that is effective and appropriate to patients to whom care, service and treatment is being provided.
- Receive individual and group supervision from physician and clinical leaders.
- Evaluate own performance and recognize opportunities for growth.
- Provide community education and engage in marketing efforts when requested.
- Serve as teacher for trainees seeking clinical experience. Serve as clinical supervisor and mentor to staff.
Required Qualifications
- Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
- Graduation from an accredited Medical School and completed Accredited Residency Program and fellowships for specialists or equivalent training
- Physician Board Certified in General Psychiatry and/or Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Licensed to practice medicine in the state(s) seeing patients
- BLS/CPR certifications, Licensures and Registrations
- All certifications for this position must be kept current
- Have knowledge of regulatory body requirements (Joint Commissions, etc.)
The compensation range for this position is based upon candidate experience and market expectations. California Pay Range $285,000 - $315,000 USD
What We Offer
At ERC Pathlight, caring for people is our mission and that begins with caring for our own team. Your well-being matters, and our benefit program is designed to support every part of your life. We offer competitive compensation; comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage; generous Paid Time Off; Parental Leave benefits; Retirement benefits; and tuition reimbursement to help you continue growing in your career. We also recognize that mental health is part of every person’s experience. That’s why we strive to create a workplace where you feel supported, seen, and encouraged—personally, professionally, and at home. When you thrive, you can do your best work. And your best work changes lives.
See All 110+ Psychiatrist Jobs in California
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Find Psychiatrist JobsPsychiatrist Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Psychiatrist Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- LifeStance Health56
- Loma Linda University Health5
- Eating Recovery Center4
- SONUS SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS4
- University of California, San Francisco4
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services88
- Education15
- Non-Profit & Social Services4
- Technology & Software4
- Consulting & Professional Services3
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in psychiatrist jobs across California.
- Active California physician and surgeon license issued by the Medical Board of California
- Board certification or active eligibility in psychiatry through the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
- Completion of an accredited four-year psychiatry residency program
- DEA registration and current California Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System enrollment
- Experience with electronic health records systems such as Epic or Cerner in a clinical setting
- Familiarity with California's Lanterman-Petris-Short Act and involuntary hold procedures
Psychiatrist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a psychiatrist in California?
To become a psychiatrist in California, you must graduate from an accredited medical school, complete a four-year psychiatry residency, and obtain a physician and surgeon license from the Medical Board of California by passing the USMLE series. California also requires enrollment in CURES before prescribing controlled substances. Most staff psychiatrist positions additionally expect board certification through the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, which requires passing written and oral examinations after residency.
How much do psychiatrists make in California?
Psychiatrists in California earn a median of about $353,500 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $113,990 for the lowest 10% to over $496,230 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire psychiatrists in California?
Employers hiring psychiatrists in California right now include LifeStance Health, Loma Linda University Health, and Eating Recovery Center, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's scale and its large county behavioral health systems, including those in Los Angeles and San Diego counties, make it one of the deepest hiring markets for psychiatrists in the United States.
Which California cities have the most psychiatrist jobs?
San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego have the most psychiatrist openings in California. Los Angeles leads due to its massive county behavioral health infrastructure and concentration of academic medical centers, San Francisco draws demand from its large integrated health systems and university hospitals, and San Diego benefits from both military behavioral health contracts and a strong network of community mental health organizations.
Are there remote psychiatrist jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most medical specialties. About 50% of psychiatrist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting how broadly telepsychiatry has been adopted since expanded regulations made audio-video psychiatric care reimbursable across payers. Outpatient therapy management, medication management follow-ups, and consultation roles are the most consistently offered as fully remote positions.
How can I get hired as a psychiatrist in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is completing a residency at a California program and transitioning directly into an employed staff role, which most large systems structure as a first attending position. County behavioral health departments in Los Angeles, Alameda, and Sacramento counties regularly hire newly licensed psychiatrists and provide supervision structures suited to early-career physicians. Forensic and correctional psychiatry through the California Department of State Hospitals is another consistent entry point. Obtaining your California license and CURES enrollment before your residency concludes gives you a clear hiring advantage.
Where can I find and apply to psychiatrist jobs in California?
You can find and apply to psychiatrist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings tied to California employers. Search the available roles, identify the ones that match your subspecialty, licensure status, and preferred setting, and apply directly to each position through the listing.
See All 110+ Psychiatrist Jobs in California
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