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Psychiatric technician: 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.

$45,130median pay per year, or $21.70 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $35,090lowest 10% earn less
  2. $38,43025th percentile
  3. $45,130median
  4. $50,16075th percentile
  5. $60,750top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[5]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[2]

A psychiatric technician earned a median of $45,130 a year in May 2025, below the median for all occupations[1][2]. BLS projects 22.3% job growth by 2035, far faster than the rate for all occupations[3][4].

Job growth, 2025–35
+22.3%[3]
Openings per year
17,000[6]
Typical entry education
Postsecondary nondegree award[7]

How much do psychiatric technicians make?

Psychiatric technicians earned a median of $45,130 a year, or $21.70 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half earned more and half earned less. The median for all occupations was $50,980[2], so this job's median sits below the all-occupations middle. The average (mean) wage was $46,610 a year[8].

The range from low to high looks like this:

Level Annual wage Hourly wage
10th percentile[5][9] $35,090 $16.87
25th percentile[5][9] $38,430 $18.48
Median[1] $45,130 $21.70
75th percentile[5][9] $50,160 $24.12
90th percentile[5][9] $60,750 $29.21

A percentile is a boundary, so the lowest-paid 10% earned less than $35,090[5]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[10]. These figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed, nonproduction bonuses and the cost of benefits such as health insurance[11].

Pay by state and city

Pay depends a lot on location. The District of Columbia had the highest median for psychiatric technicians at $67,430[12]. Oregon followed at $59,820 and New York at $58,080[12]. At the other end of the list, Louisiana had the lowest median at $31,440[12].

California had the most jobs at 14,100, then Florida at 12,710 and Texas at 11,350[13]. Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Stockton-Lodi, CA had the highest median at $95,580, followed by Napa, CA at $83,960[14]. The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area had the most jobs, 6,730, with a median of $46,060[15]. Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler was close behind with 6,630 jobs[15].

Show median pay in 48 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
District of Columbia[12]$67,430380
Oregon$59,8201,250
New York$58,0802,040
Nebraska$57,3701,390
Connecticut$55,5001,040
Hawaii$55,1502,060
New Jersey$54,0402,520
Washington$52,4701,920
Massachusetts$52,0005,340
Alaska$51,650340
California$49,14014,100
Rhode Island$48,520990
Virginia$48,3203,950
Vermont$47,560600
Colorado$47,4301,740
Nevada$46,4502,060
Georgia$46,2505,560
Illinois$46,2009,410
Missouri$45,8404,450
Arizona$45,6408,160
Maryland$45,520680
Maine$45,320620
New Hampshire$44,660260
Pennsylvania$43,93010,340
Kansas$43,7801,670
Florida$43,57012,710
Michigan$43,1404,850
Iowa$42,910690
Idaho$41,490780
South Carolina$40,970560
Indiana$40,9106,790
Utah$40,7701,940
North Carolina$40,6305,950
Kentucky$40,370910
Minnesota$40,3003,550
Wisconsin$40,2904,430
Texas$39,97011,350
North Dakota$39,960270
Tennessee$39,8003,810
Montana$39,190310
Ohio$39,1403,950
Oklahoma$39,060820
New Mexico$39,020660
Delaware$38,410350
Alabama$36,6803,290
Arkansas$35,9301,900
Mississippi$35,320930
West Virginia$34,100770
Louisiana$31,4402,420

How to become a psychiatric technician

The training details in this section come from a BLS profile that covers psychiatric technicians together with aides, so it describes a wider group[16].

BLS lists a postsecondary nondegree award as the typical entry education. It lists less than 5 years of related work experience and short-term on-the-job training[7].

Where a license is required, requirements may include finishing an accredited education program and passing an exam. The state licensing board has the details[20]. Technicians can also choose optional certification, and employers may ask for CPR or basic life support certification[21]. Some employers prefer candidates with a bachelor's degree[17].

O*NET places the job in Job Zone Three, which means previous work-related skill, knowledge or experience is needed[22].

What psychiatric technicians do

Psychiatric technicians care for people with mental or emotional conditions or disabilities, and carry out instructions from physicians or other health practitioners[23]. Typical tasks include:

BLS lists compassion, patience, observation skills and physical stamina as important qualities for the wider group[25][26][27][28].

Where they work

The work can be physically demanding, with long periods of standing. Some tasks are unpleasant, and caring for patients who are disoriented, uncooperative or violent can be hard[29]. The BLS profile for the wider group says these workers have some of the highest injury and illness rates of all occupations, often sprains and strains from lifting and turning patients[30]. Workers learn safe lifting and get safety training for handling patients who may be a danger to themselves or others[31].

Full-time work is typical, though part-time work is common. Hospitals and residential facilities run around the clock, so schedules can include nights, weekends and holidays[32]. Offices of mental health practitioners, other than physicians, were the largest employer group for the wider profile at 15%[33].

Job outlook

BLS projects psychiatric technician employment to grow 22.3% from 2025 to 2035, from about 161,500 jobs to 197,500[3]. Employment across all occupations is projected to grow 3.5%[4]. These counts include self-employed workers[3], so they differ from the 156,960 wage and salary jobs in the pay data[34].

About 17,000 openings a year are projected on average[6]. Openings count retirements and moves to other occupations as well as new jobs[6]. Each year, 3.2% of psychiatric technicians are projected to leave the labor force and 4.3% to switch occupations[35].

Is it a good fit?

The facts show a job with a median below the all-occupations median[1][2] and a wide gap between states[12]. Entry typically needs a postsecondary award and short on-the-job training[7]. The outlook is strong, with projected growth well above the rate for all occupations[3][4]. The work can be physically demanding, and injury rates are high for the wider group[29][30]. Those points are worth weighing together.

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

Frequently asked questions

How much does a psychiatric technician make an hour?
The median was $21.70 an hour in May 2025[1]. The 10th percentile was $16.87 and the 90th percentile was $29.21[9].
What education do you need to be a psychiatric technician?
BLS lists a postsecondary nondegree award as the typical entry education[7]. Some states also require a license[20].
Are psychiatric technicians in demand?
BLS projects 22.3% growth from 2025 to 2035 against 3.5% for all occupations[3][4], with about 17,000 openings a year[6].
What is the highest paying state for psychiatric technicians?
The District of Columbia had the highest median at $67,430 in May 2025, followed by Oregon at $59,820[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Psychiatric Technicians in the US was $45,130 per year and $21.70 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: employment of Psychiatric Technicians is projected to grow 22.3% from 2025 to 2035, from about 161,500 to 197,500 jobs (a change of +36,000). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Psychiatric Technicians: 10th percentile $35,090, 25th percentile $38,430, 75th percentile $50,160, 90th percentile $60,750. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 17,000 openings for Psychiatric Technicians 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 Employment Projections, typical path into Psychiatric Technicians: education needed for entry: Postsecondary nondegree award; work experience in a related occupation: Less than 5 years; typical on-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Psychiatric Technicians was $46,610 per year and $22.41 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Psychiatric Technicians: 10th percentile $16.87, 25th percentile $18.48, 75th percentile $24.12, 90th percentile $29.21. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. 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
  11. 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
  12. Median annual wage for Psychiatric Technicians 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 Technicians jobs: California 14,100; Florida 12,710; Texas 11,350; Pennsylvania 10,340; Illinois 9,410. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Psychiatric Technicians (areas with at least 100 jobs): Stockton-Lodi, CA $95,580; Napa, CA $83,960; Visalia, CA $76,700; Vallejo, CA $76,120; Ann Arbor, MI $72,550; Madison, WI $64,380; Kahului-Wailuku, HI $62,590; Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA $62,400. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Psychiatric Technicians jobs: Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 6,730 (median $46,060); Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ 6,630 (median $46,550); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 4,770 (median $48,040); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 4,560 (median $46,920); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 4,230 (median $47,650); Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 3,890 (median $44,500). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Psychiatric Technicians and Aides" covers Psychiatric Technicians together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. 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: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. O*NET 29-2053.00: Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. O*NET OnLine
  23. O*NET description of Psychiatric Technicians. O*NET OnLine
  24. O*NET task list for Psychiatric Technicians. O*NET OnLine
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedule. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of psychiatric technicians and aides in 2025: Offices of mental health practitioners (except physicians) 15%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 156,960 people were employed as Psychiatric Technicians in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  35. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Psychiatric Technicians: 3.2% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.3% 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.