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Psychiatric Technicians Salary
Psychiatric Technicians earn a median $45,130 a year in the U.S., with 156,960 jobs (May 2025).
- Median wage
- $45,130 a year
- Employment
- 156,960
- Excludes self-employed
- Projected growth
- +22.3%
- 2025 to 2035
- Openings per year
- 17,000
- Average, including replacements
Pay range nationally
The middle half of workers earn between the 25th and 75th percentile (shaded)
- Median (50%)
- $45,130 · $21.70 an hour
- Mean (average)
- $46,610 · $22.41 an hour (estimate error ±0.4%)
- 10th percentile
- $35,090 · $16.87 an hour
- 25th percentile
- $38,430 · $18.48 an hour
- 75th percentile
- $50,160 · $24.12 an hour
- 90th percentile
- $60,750 · $29.21 an hour
- Employment
- 156,960 (estimate error ±1.8%)
What they do
Standard Occupational Classification definition
Care for individuals with mental or emotional conditions or disabilities, following the instructions of physicians or other health practitioners. Monitor patients’ physical and emotional well-being and report to medical staff. May participate in rehabilitation and treatment programs, help with personal hygiene, and administer oral or injectable medications.
Job outlook
BLS Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035
- Jobs in 2025
- 161,500
- Projected for 2035
- 197,500
- Change
- +36,000 (+22.3%)
- Openings each year
- 17,000
- Typical education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Work experience
- Less than 5 years
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Self-employed
- Not reported
Occupational Outlook Handbook (duties, how to become one, work environment)
Highest paying states
Median wage for this occupation
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| # | State | Median wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $67,430 | 380 |
| 2 | Oregon | $59,820 | 1,250 |
| 3 | New York | $58,080 | 2,040 |
| 4 | Nebraska | $57,370 | 1,390 |
| 5 | Connecticut | $55,500 | 1,040 |
| 6 | Hawaii | $55,150 | 2,060 |
| 7 | New Jersey | $54,040 | 2,520 |
| 8 | Washington | $52,470 | 1,920 |
| 9 | Massachusetts | $52,000 | 5,340 |
| 10 | Alaska | $51,650 | 340 |
States with the most jobs
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| State | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| California | 14,100 | $49,140 |
| Florida | 12,710 | $43,570 |
| Texas | 11,350 | $39,970 |
| Pennsylvania | 10,340 | $43,930 |
| Illinois | 9,410 | $46,200 |
| Arizona | 8,160 | $45,640 |
| Indiana | 6,790 | $40,910 |
| North Carolina | 5,950 | $40,630 |
| Georgia | 5,560 | $46,250 |
| Massachusetts | 5,340 | $52,000 |
Highest paying metro areas
Metro areas with at least 100 jobs in this occupation
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| # | Metro area | Median wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stockton-Lodi, CA | $95,580 | 330 |
| 2 | Napa, CA | $83,960 | 320 |
| 3 | Visalia, CA | $76,700 | 200 |
| 4 | Vallejo, CA | $76,120 | 260 |
| 5 | Ann Arbor, MI | $72,550 | 580 |
| 6 | Madison, WI | $64,380 | 1,030 |
| 7 | Kahului-Wailuku, HI | $62,590 | 130 |
| 8 | Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $62,400 | 200 |
| 9 | Lincoln, NE | $59,570 | 340 |
| 10 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $58,610 | 2,980 |
| 11 | Eugene-Springfield, OR | $58,500 | 250 |
| 12 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $57,610 | 3,460 |
Metro areas with the most jobs
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| Metro area | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 6,730 | $46,060 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | 6,630 | $46,550 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 4,770 | $48,040 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 4,560 | $46,920 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 4,230 | $47,650 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 3,890 | $44,500 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 3,460 | $57,610 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 3,300 | $43,320 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 3,020 | $41,940 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 2,980 | $58,610 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | 2,440 | $44,710 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 2,280 | $39,530 |
Visa filings for this occupation
Wages employers offered on Department of Labor filings
- H-1B (FY 2026 through Q3)2 certified filingsMedian offered wage Not reported
- PERM green card (FY 2026 through Q3)0 certified filingsMedian offered wage Not reported
Psychiatric Technicians pay by state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
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- Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists
- Medical Dosimetrists
- Emergency Medical Technicians
- Paramedics
- Dietetic Technicians
- Pharmacy Technicians
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Frequently asked questions
- How much do psychiatric technicians make?
- The median wage for psychiatric technicians in the U.S. is $45,130 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $38,430 and $50,160.
- Which state pays psychiatric technicians the most?
- District of Columbia has the highest median wage for this occupation at $67,430 a year.
- What is the job outlook for psychiatric technicians?
- BLS projects employment to grow 22.3% from 2025 to 2035, with about 17,000 openings each year on average.
- What education do psychiatric technicians need?
- The typical entry-level education is: postsecondary nondegree award.