Psychiatric Technicians Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for psychiatric technicians in the U.S. is $45,130 ($21.70 per hour), according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 estimates.
- Median annual wage
- $45,130
- Mean annual wage
- $46,610
- Median hourly wage
- $21.70
- Employment
- 156,960
156,960 employed
Wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,090 | $16.87 |
| 25th percentile | $38,430 | $18.48 |
| Median (50th) | $45,130 | $21.70 |
| 75th percentile | $50,160 | $24.12 |
| 90th percentile | $60,750 | $29.21 |
Highest-paying states for psychiatric technicians
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $67,430 | 380 |
| Oregon | $59,820 | 1,250 |
| New York | $58,080 | 2,040 |
| Nebraska | $57,370 | 1,390 |
| Connecticut | $55,500 | 1,040 |
| Hawaii | $55,150 | 2,060 |
| New Jersey | $54,040 | 2,520 |
| Washington | $52,470 | 1,920 |
| Massachusetts | $52,000 | 5,340 |
| Alaska | $51,650 | 340 |
Lowest-paying states
- Louisiana: $31,440 median annual wage
- West Virginia: $34,100 median annual wage
- Mississippi: $35,320 median annual wage
- Arkansas: $35,930 median annual wage
- Alabama: $36,680 median annual wage
About this occupation
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.
Typical tasks
- Encourage patients to develop work skills and to participate in social, recreational, or other therapeutic activities that enhance interpersonal skills or develop social relationships.
- Take and record measures of patients' physical condition, using devices such as thermometers or blood pressure gauges.
- Develop or teach strategies to promote client wellness and independence.
- Observe and influence patients' behavior, communicating and interacting with them and teaching, counseling, or befriending them.
- Interview new patients to complete admission forms, to assess their mental health status, or to obtain their mental health and treatment history.
- Collaborate with or assist doctors, psychologists, or rehabilitation therapists in working with patients with cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disabilities to treat, rehabilitate, and return patients to the community.
Education of the current workforce — typical entry: Postsecondary certificate
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Less than high school diploma | 2.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 15.1% |
| Some college, no degree | 26.5% |
| Associate's degree | 12.8% |
| Bachelor's degree | 32.4% |
| Master's degree | 9.8% |
| Doctoral or professional degree | 1.3% |
Occupation profile data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Related occupations
- Registered Nurses$97,550
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$64,400
- Pharmacy Technicians$45,750
- Physicians, All Other$265,930
- Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$62,930
- Nurse Practitioners$132,300
- Pharmacists$140,910
- Physical Therapists$102,760
About this data
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- CareerOneStop Occupation Profiles — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 14, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.