CareerFacts

All careers › Psychiatric Aides

Psychiatric aide: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 29, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$44,910median pay per year, or $21.59 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $32,090lowest 10% earn less
  2. $37,75025th percentile
  3. $44,910median
  4. $49,95075th percentile
  5. $60,440top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[2]

A psychiatric aide earned a median of $44,910 a year in May 2025[1], below the $50,980 median for all occupations[2]. The job typically asks for a high school diploma and short training on the job[3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+1.9%[5]
Openings per year
4,900[6]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[3]

How much do psychiatric aides make?

In May 2025, the median pay for psychiatric aides was $44,910 a year, or $21.59 an hour[1]. Half of the workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average was $45,690 a year, or $21.97 an hour[7]. The median for all occupations was $50,980[2].

Here is how pay spread out:

Percentile Per year Per hour
10th[4][8] $32,090 $15.43
25th[4][8] $37,750 $18.15
Median[1] $44,910 $21.59
75th[4][8] $49,950 $24.01
90th[4][8] $60,440 $29.06

A percentile wage is a boundary line[9]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $32,090 a year[4]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9].

These figures cover workers paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed and do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance[10]. About 35,520 people held these wage and salary jobs[11].

Pay by state and city

Pay differs a lot by state. Minnesota had the highest median at $55,040, followed by Washington at $52,570 and Hawaii at $52,310[12]. Alabama had the lowest of the 39 states with published data, at $27,150[12].

New York had the most jobs at 5,120, followed by California at 3,760 and Mississippi at 2,490[13]. Mississippi's median was $30,510[12].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY had the highest median at $75,670, followed by Trenton-Princeton, NJ at $60,110[14]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ area had the most jobs at 4,310, with a median of $49,840[15].

Show median pay in 39 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
Minnesota[12]$55,040620
Washington$52,570330
Hawaii$52,31030
Maryland$51,440250
Nevada$51,400220
Rhode Island$51,100130
New York$50,2205,120
Alaska$49,300190
Illinois$48,670120
Oregon$48,3001,550
Vermont$47,860330
California$47,5003,760
Maine$46,720110
Montana$46,340330
Colorado$46,130300
Michigan$45,8001,410
New Jersey$45,7802,060
Massachusetts$45,300950
Oklahoma$44,960n/a
Indiana$44,8601,930
Pennsylvania$44,7901,620
Connecticut$44,660520
Texas$42,5601,760
Utah$40,810130
Missouri$39,840110
Iowa$39,260400
Kentucky$38,610250
Ohio$38,480980
North Carolina$38,400n/a
Kansas$38,390580
Florida$37,9302,210
West Virginia$37,910220
Virginia$37,280n/a
Georgia$36,7901,090
South Carolina$36,320200
Arkansas$36,270490
Mississippi$30,5102,490
Louisiana$30,030280
Alabama$27,150790

How to become a psychiatric aide

The training details below come from a Handbook profile that covers psychiatric technicians and aides together[16].

The state license in the Handbook applies to psychiatric technicians, which is a different job from aide[19].

In an O*NET survey of 18 workers, 46% said some college courses are required and 24% said a high school diploma or equivalent[20]. This is a small survey, so treat it as a rough picture.

BLS lists compassion, interpersonal skills, observation, patience and physical stamina as important qualities[21][22][23][24][25].

What psychiatric aides do

Psychiatric aides help patients with mental or emotional conditions while working under the direction of nursing and medical staff[26]. Typical tasks include:

Where they work

Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals run by states were the largest employer of psychiatric technicians and aides in 2025, at 25%[28]. Hospitals and residential facilities operate around the clock, so these workers may work nights, weekends and holidays. Most work full time, and part-time work is common[29].

The work can be physically demanding, and workers may stand for long periods. Caring for patients who are confused, uncooperative or violent can be hard[30]. BLS says these workers have some of the highest rates of injury and illness of all occupations[31]. They get training in safe lifting and in handling patients who may be a danger to themselves or others[32]. BLS also notes that close contact with patients lets workers have a positive effect on patients' treatment[33].

Job outlook

BLS projects that employment will grow 1.9% from 2025 to 2035, from about 36,900 to 37,600 jobs[5]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5%[34]. So this job is expected to grow more slowly than the average. These projection counts include self-employed workers[5].

BLS expects about 4,900 openings a year on average[6]. Openings include jobs that come up when people retire or change occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 5.8% of workers leave the labor force and 7.1% move to a different occupation[35]. For comparison, psychiatric technicians, a related job, are projected to grow 22.3%[36].

Is it a good fit?

The job has a low barrier to entry. It typically needs a high school diploma, no prior experience and short on-the-job training[3]. Pay is below the all-occupations median[1][2], and it varies a great deal by state[12]. The work can be physically demanding and sometimes challenging, and shifts may include nights and weekends[30][29]. Growth is slower than average, but about 4,900 openings come up each year[5][34][6]. It may suit people who are patient, observant and comfortable working closely with patients[23][24].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[36].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a psychiatric aide make an hour?
The median was $21.59 an hour in May 2025[1]. The 10th percentile was $15.43 and the 90th percentile was $29.06[8].
What education do you need to be a psychiatric aide?
The typical entry education is a high school diploma or equivalent, with short-term on-the-job training[3].
Is psychiatric aide a growing job?
Employment is projected to grow 1.9% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[5][34]. About 4,900 openings a year are expected[6].
What is the highest paying state for psychiatric aides?
Minnesota had the highest median at $55,040, followed by Washington at $52,570[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Psychiatric Aides in the US was $44,910 per year and $21.59 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Psychiatric Aides: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Psychiatric Aides: 10th percentile $32,090, 25th percentile $37,750, 75th percentile $49,950, 90th percentile $60,440. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Psychiatric Aides is projected to grow 1.9% from 2025 to 2035, from about 36,900 to 37,600 jobs (a change of +700). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 4,900 openings for Psychiatric Aides are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Psychiatric Aides was $45,690 per year and $21.97 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Psychiatric Aides: 10th percentile $15.43, 25th percentile $18.15, 75th percentile $24.01, 90th percentile $29.06. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 35,520 people were employed as Psychiatric Aides in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Psychiatric Aides in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Psychiatric Aides jobs: New York 5,120; California 3,760; Mississippi 2,490; Florida 2,210; New Jersey 2,060. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Psychiatric Aides (areas with at least 100 jobs): Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY $75,670; Trenton-Princeton, NJ $60,110; Utica-Rome, NY $58,600; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $58,550; Kalamazoo-Portage, MI $55,100; Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV $53,520; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $52,570; Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $51,610. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Psychiatric Aides jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 4,310 (median $49,840); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 1,450 (median $47,050); Jackson, MS 1,040 (median $31,560); Salem, OR 910 (median $50,580); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 870 (median $48,560); Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN 780 (median $45,080). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Psychiatric Technicians and Aides" covers Psychiatric Aides together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Other Experience. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. O*NET 31-1133.00 survey of workers (18 respondents), education level they say is required: Some College Courses 46%, High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 24%, Post-Secondary Certificate 16%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 10% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. O*NET description of Psychiatric Aides. O*NET OnLine
  27. O*NET task list for Psychiatric Aides. O*NET OnLine
  28. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of psychiatric technicians and aides in 2025: Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals; state 25%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedule. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  35. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Psychiatric Aides: 5.8% of workers leave the labor force each year and 7.1% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  36. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.