Data report · Updated with HRSA data as of September 30, 2026
Psychiatrist Shortage by State: 2026 Data
154,557,656 people in the U.S. are covered by a federal mental health shortage designation, and only 26.24% of the need for psychiatrists in those areas is met. Removing every designation would take 7,796 more psychiatrists. West Virginia and Delaware meet the smallest share of their need.
154.6 million
people covered by a mental health shortage designation
26.24%
of the need for psychiatrists met in those areas
7,796
more psychiatrists needed to remove every designation
Key findings
- 31 of the 50 places with figures (every state except Vermont, plus DC) meet less than 30% of their need for psychiatrists in designated shortage areas.
- Lowest share of need met: West Virginia (5.68%), Delaware (6.6%), Maine (11.45%), North Carolina (11.8%), New York (14.42%).
- Most psychiatrists needed: Florida (710), California (673), Texas (631), Illinois (395), New York (256).
- Even the best-served states meet only about half their need: New Jersey (50.45%), New Hampshire (48.15%), Utah (48.02%).
Psychiatrist shortage, state by state
Download the data (CSV)| District of Columbia | 0% | 8 | 126,214 | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | 5.68% | 94 | 810,123 | 124 |
| Delaware | 6.6% | 61 | 537,966 | 16 |
| Maine | 11.45% | 21 | 470,030 | 82 |
| North Carolina | 11.8% | 253 | 4,104,845 | 224 |
| New York | 14.42% | 256 | 4,047,428 | 213 |
| Tennessee | 14.92% | 220 | 2,999,680 | 98 |
| Arizona | 15.74% | 224 | 4,088,063 | 282 |
| Connecticut | 17.17% | 126 | 1,932,543 | 55 |
| Virginia | 17.96% | 150 | 2,253,193 | 133 |
| South Dakota | 18.71% | 36 | 657,991 | 65 |
| Kentucky | 19.69% | 151 | 2,778,040 | 228 |
| Maryland | 19.76% | 150 | 2,882,446 | 69 |
| Kansas | 19.89% | 52 | 1,196,031 | 118 |
| Iowa | 20.09% | 82 | 1,899,150 | 174 |
| Idaho | 20.12% | 56 | 1,282,788 | 65 |
| Illinois | 20.97% | 395 | 8,646,794 | 245 |
| Washington | 21.13% | 249 | 5,635,742 | 244 |
| Missouri | 21.41% | 140 | 2,713,118 | 265 |
| Nevada | 21.72% | 185 | 2,715,680 | 66 |
| Florida | 21.78% | 710 | 12,331,976 | 241 |
| California | 21.91% | 673 | 12,270,229 | 643 |
| Alabama | 23.19% | 227 | 3,491,919 | 72 |
| Oklahoma | 23.99% | 148 | 2,604,390 | 139 |
| Minnesota | 24.28% | 123 | 2,709,724 | 150 |
| Oregon | 25.43% | 90 | 1,703,364 | 135 |
| New Mexico | 25.67% | 83 | 1,617,847 | 100 |
| Arkansas | 26.3% | 73 | 1,176,745 | 94 |
| Massachusetts | 26.5% | 30 | 553,097 | 56 |
| Louisiana | 27.72% | 139 | 2,893,539 | 179 |
| Alaska | 27.78% | 29 | 627,057 | 343 |
| Wyoming | 30.63% | 23 | 567,575 | 26 |
| Texas | 31.93% | 631 | 14,065,653 | 414 |
| Hawaii | 32.16% | 23 | 504,844 | 33 |
| South Carolina | 32.71% | 233 | 5,371,248 | 101 |
| Mississippi | 33.34% | 107 | 2,312,386 | 87 |
| Pennsylvania | 34.26% | 67 | 1,012,322 | 130 |
| Ohio | 34.32% | 240 | 5,432,847 | 138 |
| Wisconsin | 35.88% | 85 | 1,753,519 | 170 |
| Michigan | 37.26% | 195 | 4,663,345 | 276 |
| North Dakota | 37.36% | 16 | 464,452 | 69 |
| Indiana | 37.93% | 251 | 6,500,041 | 117 |
| Colorado | 40.42% | 137 | 4,054,296 | 85 |
| Montana | 40.87% | 55 | 1,318,372 | 115 |
| Nebraska | 44.79% | 30 | 1,069,236 | 91 |
| Rhode Island | 45.42% | 15 | 411,900 | 14 |
| Georgia | 46.14% | 194 | 5,680,979 | 93 |
| Utah | 48.02% | 97 | 2,986,377 | 63 |
| New Hampshire | 48.15% | 4 | 153,649 | 22 |
| New Jersey | 50.45% | 37 | 776,426 | 43 |
| Vermont | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | 12 |
Source: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Bureau of Health Workforce, HRSA Designated HPSA Quarterly Summary, Q4 FY2026 (Table 5), data as of September 30, 2026. "Need met" is psychiatrists available divided by psychiatrists needed to reach HRSA's target ratio in designated areas, groups and facilities. HRSA doesn't report need met or psychiatrists needed for Vermont. DC's figures come from a single population-group designation. U.S. territories are counted in the national totals only.
What the numbers mean
A mental health Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) is a county, part of a county, population group or facility that HRSA designates as having too few mental health providers. Most mental health designations are based on the number of people per psychiatrist: generally one psychiatrist for every 30,000 people, or one for every 20,000 where needs are high.
Because the designations mostly count psychiatrists, they don't fully reflect care from psychologists, licensed therapists and psychiatric nurse practitioners. Even so, they are the standard federal measure of where psychiatric care is scarce.
Getting care when there's no psychiatrist nearby
With telehealth, a psychiatric provider licensed in your state can evaluate you and manage medication by secure video, so living far from an office matters less. Anywhere Clinic is licensed in 46 states and Washington, D.C., and accepts most major insurance plans. First visits take about 30 to 40 minutes. If you're in crisis, call or text 988, or call 911.
Use this data
Journalists, researchers and advocates are welcome to use these figures and the CSV. Please credit HRSA as the source and link to this page.
Anywhere Clinic. "Psychiatrist Shortage by State: 2026 Data." Compiled from HRSA's Designated HPSA Quarterly Summary (data as of September 30, 2026). https://anywhereclinic.com/psychiatrist-shortage-by-state
Frequently asked questions
Sources and method
- Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Bureau of Health Workforce: HRSA Designated HPSA Quarterly Summary, Q4 FY2026 (Table 5), Table 5, Mental Health Care HPSAs by State, data as of September 30, 2026. Figures are copied as published; the state rows add up to HRSA's national totals.
- HRSA data downloads (HPSA, Mental Health) for the designation criteria and target ratios.