Psychiatric technician salary
BLS occupation: Psychiatric Technicians · also called psych tech · Healthcare practitioners · data for May 2025
Median salary $45,130 a year, US
Median hourly pay $21.70 an hour
Middle half earn $38,430–$50,160 25th to 75th percentile
Psychiatric technicians employed 156,960 +22.3% projected by 2035
How much does a psychiatric technician make?
- The median psychiatric technician salary in the US is $45,130 a year ($21.70 an hour): half of the 156,960 psychiatric technicians BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $46,610.
- The middle half earn between $38,430 and $50,160. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $35,090 and the top 10% more than $60,750.
- That is 11% less than the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- The District of Columbia pays psychiatric technicians the most (median $67,430), followed by Oregon ($59,820) and New York ($58,080). Louisiana pays the least ($31,440).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in Nebraska, where the median is worth $63,672 in typical US prices, then the District of Columbia and Oregon. The District of Columbia's higher pay is offset by its prices (109.9 vs a US average of 100).
- In 10 of the 224 metro areas with data, the median psychiatric technician salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of psychiatric technicians to grow 22.3% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 17,000 openings a year. The typical entry education is a postsecondary certificate (a nondegree award).
official From BLS's survey of employers: what psychiatric technicians are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Psychiatric technician salary range
Half of psychiatric technicians earn between $38,430 and $50,160 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $35,090
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $38,430
Median Yearly pay: $45,130
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $50,160
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $60,750
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $35,090 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $38,430 |
| Median | $45,130 |
| Top 25% earn over | $50,160 |
| Top 10% earn over | $60,750 |
Psychiatric technician salary by state
The District of Columbia pays psychiatric technicians the most; Louisiana the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($45,130), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $67,430 median |
| Oregon | $59,820 median |
| New York | $58,080 median |
| Nebraska | $57,370 median |
| Connecticut | $55,500 median |
| Hawaii | $55,150 median |
| New Jersey | $54,040 median |
| Washington | $52,470 median |
| Massachusetts | $52,000 median |
| Alaska | $51,650 median |
| California | $49,140 median |
| Rhode Island | $48,520 median |
| Virginia | $48,320 median |
| Vermont | $47,560 median |
| Colorado | $47,430 median |
| Nevada | $46,450 median |
| Georgia | $46,250 median |
| Illinois | $46,200 median |
| Missouri | $45,840 median |
| Arizona | $45,640 median |
| Maryland | $45,520 median |
| Maine | $45,320 median |
| New Hampshire | $44,660 median |
| Pennsylvania | $43,930 median |
| Kansas | $43,780 median |
| Florida | $43,570 median |
| Michigan | $43,140 median |
| Iowa | $42,910 median |
| Idaho | $41,490 median |
| South Carolina | $40,970 median |
| Indiana | $40,910 median |
| Utah | $40,770 median |
| North Carolina | $40,630 median |
| Kentucky | $40,370 median |
| Minnesota | $40,300 median |
| Wisconsin | $40,290 median |
| Texas | $39,970 median |
| North Dakota | $39,960 median |
| Tennessee | $39,800 median |
| Montana | $39,190 median |
| Ohio | $39,140 median |
| Oklahoma | $39,060 median |
| New Mexico | $39,020 median |
| Delaware | $38,410 median |
| Alabama | $36,680 median |
| Arkansas | $35,930 median |
| Mississippi | $35,320 median |
| West Virginia | $34,100 median |
| Louisiana | $31,440 median |
Where psychiatric technician pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Psychiatric technicians' pay goes furthest in Nebraska once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| Nebraska | $63,672 |
| District of Columbia | $61,355 |
| Oregon | $57,875 |
| New York | $53,817 |
| Connecticut | $53,566 |
| Missouri | $50,475 |
| Alaska | $50,460 |
| Hawaii | $50,159 |
| New Jersey | $49,667 |
| Massachusetts | $49,169 |
Psychiatric technician pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $67,430 | $32.42 | $42,440 | $78,460 | 380 | $61,355 |
| Oregon | $59,820 | $28.76 | $44,570 | $73,530 | 1,250 | $57,875 |
| New York | $58,080 | $27.92 | $41,650 | $85,920 | 2,040 | $53,817 |
| Nebraska | $57,370 | $27.58 | $39,490 | $62,000 | 1,390 | $63,672 |
| Connecticut | $55,500 | $26.68 | $41,250 | $77,540 | 1,040 | $53,566 |
| Hawaii | $55,150 | $26.51 | $45,830 | $63,720 | 2,060 | $50,159 |
| New Jersey | $54,040 | $25.98 | $45,770 | $64,620 | 2,520 | $49,667 |
| Washington | $52,470 | $25.23 | $44,030 | $76,730 | 1,920 | $49,031 |
| Massachusetts | $52,000 | $25.00 | $40,140 | $66,330 | 5,340 | $49,169 |
| Alaska | $51,650 | $24.83 | $40,270 | $77,830 | 340 | $50,460 |
| California | $49,140 | $23.63 | $40,880 | $88,090 | 14,100 | $44,382 |
| Rhode Island | $48,520 | $23.33 | $43,450 | $62,490 | 990 | $47,438 |
| Virginia | $48,320 | $23.23 | $38,580 | $58,530 | 3,950 | $47,792 |
| Vermont | $47,560 | $22.87 | $40,630 | $58,360 | 600 | $48,551 |
| Colorado | $47,430 | $22.80 | $40,940 | $59,810 | 1,740 | $46,025 |
| Nevada | $46,450 | $22.33 | $38,480 | $56,250 | 2,060 | $46,460 |
| Georgia | $46,250 | $22.24 | $37,530 | $58,130 | 5,560 | $48,030 |
| Illinois | $46,200 | $22.21 | $36,820 | $53,620 | 9,410 | $46,219 |
| Missouri | $45,840 | $22.04 | $34,870 | $55,530 | 4,450 | $50,475 |
| Arizona | $45,640 | $21.94 | $36,240 | $56,420 | 8,160 | $45,333 |
| Maryland | $45,520 | $21.88 | $34,500 | $61,190 | 680 | $43,369 |
| Maine | $45,320 | $21.79 | $39,320 | $51,740 | 620 | $46,698 |
| New Hampshire | $44,660 | $21.47 | $44,180 | $60,530 | 260 | $42,874 |
| Pennsylvania | $43,930 | $21.12 | $36,920 | $54,000 | 10,340 | $45,023 |
| Kansas | $43,780 | $21.05 | $36,710 | $49,300 | 1,670 | $48,608 |
| Florida | $43,570 | $20.95 | $35,280 | $57,290 | 12,710 | $42,132 |
| Michigan | $43,140 | $20.74 | $36,630 | $72,550 | 4,850 | $44,836 |
| Iowa | $42,910 | $20.63 | $36,370 | $46,310 | 690 | $48,894 |
| Idaho | $41,490 | $19.95 | $37,980 | $48,180 | 780 | $43,448 |
| South Carolina | $40,970 | $19.70 | $35,390 | $53,170 | 560 | $43,702 |
| Indiana | $40,910 | $19.67 | $36,010 | $50,190 | 6,790 | $43,834 |
| Utah | $40,770 | $19.60 | $34,760 | $47,870 | 1,940 | $41,238 |
| North Carolina | $40,630 | $19.53 | $33,900 | $50,530 | 5,950 | $43,074 |
| Kentucky | $40,370 | $19.41 | $31,300 | $54,750 | 910 | $44,776 |
| Minnesota | $40,300 | $19.38 | $36,830 | $58,490 | 3,550 | $40,864 |
| Wisconsin | $40,290 | $19.37 | $32,560 | $84,760 | 4,430 | $42,818 |
| Texas | $39,970 | $19.22 | $33,240 | $49,250 | 11,350 | $41,182 |
| North Dakota | $39,960 | $19.21 | $38,350 | $55,760 | 270 | $44,920 |
| Tennessee | $39,800 | $19.13 | $31,370 | $53,940 | 3,810 | $43,322 |
| Montana | $39,190 | $18.84 | $35,030 | $54,350 | 310 | $41,407 |
| Ohio | $39,140 | $18.82 | $31,550 | $48,840 | 3,950 | $42,189 |
| Oklahoma | $39,060 | $18.78 | $34,080 | $62,400 | 820 | $44,466 |
| New Mexico | $39,020 | $18.76 | $31,390 | $49,760 | 660 | $42,316 |
| Delaware | $38,410 | $18.47 | $32,100 | $47,320 | 350 | $38,484 |
| Alabama | $36,680 | $17.63 | $23,330 | $45,870 | 3,290 | $41,296 |
| Arkansas | $35,930 | $17.27 | $29,790 | $44,130 | 1,900 | $41,329 |
| Mississippi | $35,320 | $16.98 | $27,540 | $49,770 | 930 | $40,620 |
| West Virginia | $34,100 | $16.39 | $30,130 | $44,270 | 770 | $38,102 |
| Louisiana | $31,440 | $15.12 | $28,400 | $36,830 | 2,420 | $35,643 |
BLS does not publish pay for psychiatric technicians in 2 states (too few workers to estimate reliably). After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Psychiatric technician salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes psychiatric technician pay: 227 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- Stockton, CA $95,580
- Napa, CA $83,960
- Visalia, CA $76,700
- Vallejo, CA $76,120
- Ann Arbor, MI $72,550
- Salem, OR $66,840
- Buffalo, NY $65,500
- Madison, WI $64,380
- Santa Maria, CA $63,510
- Kahului, HI $62,590
Where the pay goes furthest
- Stockton, CA $90,951
- Visalia, CA $76,834
- Napa, CA $74,595
- Ann Arbor, MI $71,917
- Vallejo, CA $70,170
- Buffalo, NY $68,340
- Madison, WI $66,175
- Lincoln, NE $65,046
- Salem, OR $64,487
- Spokane, WA $62,185
All 227 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stockton, CA | $95,580 | 330 | $90,951 | 31% |
| Napa, CA | $83,960 | 320 | $74,595 | 42% |
| Visalia, CA | $76,700 | 200 | $76,834 | 27% |
| Vallejo, CA | $76,120 | 260 | $70,170 | 39% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $72,550 | 580 | $71,917 | 32% |
| Salem, OR | $66,840 | – | $64,487 | 30% |
| Buffalo, NY | $65,500 | 50 | $68,340 | 27% |
| Madison, WI | $64,380 | 1,030 | $66,175 | 33% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $63,510 | 70 | $58,374 | 62% |
| Kahului, HI | $62,590 | 130 | $57,216 | 62% |
| Spokane, WA | $62,400 | 200 | $62,185 | 29% |
| New Haven, CT | $59,930 | 80 | $57,317 | 41% |
| Lincoln, NE | $59,570 | 340 | $65,046 | 26% |
| New York, NY | $58,610 | 2,980 | $52,069 | 73% |
| Eugene, OR | $58,500 | 250 | $57,597 | 36% |
| Boston, MA | $57,610 | 3,460 | $53,212 | 62% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $57,570 | 230 | $53,872 | 60% |
| Norwich, CT | $57,360 | 40 | $57,106 | 44% |
| San Jose, CA | $55,550 | 260 | $50,307 | 82% |
| Honolulu, HI | $55,150 | 1,640 | $49,702 | 66% |
| San Francisco, CA | $54,640 | 1,020 | $47,261 | 76% |
| Fresno, CA | $53,680 | 620 | $52,546 | 46% |
| Syracuse, NY | $52,840 | 90 | $55,190 | 37% |
| Seattle, WA | $52,490 | 1,330 | $47,232 | 51% |
| Waterbury, CT | $51,950 | 110 | $52,066 | – |
| Anchorage, AK | $51,670 | 300 | $49,013 | 44% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $51,370 | 80 | $47,660 | 62% |
| Washington, DC | $50,840 | 1,450 | $46,692 | 57% |
| Duluth, MN | $50,490 | 180 | $56,879 | 32% |
| Lansing, MI | $50,140 | 300 | $52,784 | 31% |
| Amherst-Northampton, MA | $50,110 | 40 | $49,989 | – |
| Denver, CO | $50,100 | 1,040 | $47,362 | 46% |
| Worcester, MA | $49,890 | 960 | $48,662 | 51% |
| Pueblo, CO | $49,740 | 150 | $54,205 | 32% |
| Burlington, VT | $49,670 | 240 | $49,203 | 63% |
| Riverside, CA | $48,470 | 1,390 | $45,537 | 63% |
| Modesto, CA | $48,390 | 160 | $46,481 | 51% |
| Hartford, CT | $48,370 | 520 | $47,077 | 50% |
| Richmond, VA | $48,320 | 610 | $49,378 | 42% |
| Omaha, NE | $48,310 | 720 | $52,562 | 35% |
| Fargo, ND | $48,230 | 210 | $53,075 | 27% |
| St. Cloud, MN | $48,190 | 190 | $54,991 | 30% |
| San Diego, CA | $48,120 | 900 | $43,008 | 74% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $48,040 | 4,770 | $42,301 | 73% |
| Providence, RI | $47,980 | 1,420 | $47,144 | 54% |
| St. Louis, MO | $47,970 | 1,680 | $50,448 | 36% |
| Baltimore, MD | $47,860 | 320 | $45,805 | 49% |
| Sacramento, CA | $47,810 | 910 | $44,820 | 57% |
| Bay City, MI | $47,780 | 130 | $51,979 | 26% |
| Portland, ME | $47,780 | 250 | $46,908 | 58% |
| Pittsfield, MA | $47,730 | 50 | $50,186 | 44% |
| Gainesville, GA | $47,690 | 80 | $49,284 | 43% |
| Atlanta, GA | $47,650 | 4,230 | $47,622 | 46% |
| Flint, MI | $47,590 | 90 | $51,153 | 26% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $47,420 | 1,150 | $48,417 | 48% |
| Hickory, NC | $47,340 | 130 | $53,500 | 40% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $46,920 | 4,560 | $45,752 | 49% |
| Elkhart, IN | $46,560 | 130 | $51,547 | 30% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $46,550 | 1,590 | $46,450 | 45% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $46,550 | 6,630 | $45,056 | 44% |
| Springfield, MA | $46,540 | 350 | $48,448 | 51% |
| Reno, NV | $46,390 | 380 | $45,924 | 54% |
| Portland, OR | $46,290 | 430 | $43,910 | 47% |
| Cape Coral, FL | $46,200 | 370 | $45,140 | 47% |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $46,180 | 70 | $46,030 | 55% |
| Chicago, IL | $46,060 | 6,730 | $44,462 | 56% |
| Springfield, MO | $45,840 | 1,230 | $51,747 | 33% |
| Trenton, NJ | $45,770 | 190 | $44,359 | 66% |
| Charleston, SC | $45,670 | 150 | $45,235 | 54% |
| Savannah, GA | $45,530 | 110 | $47,823 | 47% |
| Orlando, FL | $45,440 | 1,550 | $44,805 | 51% |
| Scranton, PA | $45,360 | 980 | $48,484 | 36% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $45,310 | 40 | $45,834 | 54% |
| Kalamazoo, MI | $45,220 | 130 | $47,680 | 34% |
| Iowa City, IA | $45,210 | 60 | $49,405 | 47% |
| Roanoke, VA | $45,020 | 130 | $48,089 | 37% |
| Punta Gorda, FL | $44,770 | 40 | $44,536 | 50% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $44,710 | 2,440 | $46,721 | 41% |
| Cleveland, OH | $44,690 | 830 | $47,582 | 39% |
| Manchester, NH | $44,660 | – | $42,269 | 58% |
| Greensboro, NC | $44,610 | 190 | $48,037 | 38% |
| Miami, FL | $44,500 | 3,890 | $38,982 | 72% |
| Nashville, TN | $44,450 | 1,380 | $46,140 | 49% |
| Charlotte, NC | $44,110 | 1,590 | $45,312 | 47% |
| Durham, NC | $44,100 | 430 | $45,197 | 45% |
| Bangor, ME | $44,060 | 260 | $45,654 | 41% |
| Raleigh, NC | $44,000 | 950 | $44,826 | 46% |
| Altoona, PA | $43,920 | 80 | $49,069 | 27% |
| Hagerstown, MD | $43,790 | 40 | $46,501 | 44% |
| Kansas City, MO | $43,780 | 1,500 | $47,308 | 42% |
| Prescott Valley, AZ | $43,710 | 190 | $44,486 | 52% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $43,710 | – | $39,774 | 95% |
| Augusta, GA | $43,590 | 170 | $47,430 | 40% |
| Champaign, IL | $43,590 | 100 | $47,021 | 38% |
| Houston, TX | $43,320 | 3,300 | $43,922 | 45% |
| Knoxville, TN | $43,190 | 360 | $46,657 | 48% |
| Columbia, MO | $43,170 | 270 | $48,268 | 41% |
| York, PA | $43,120 | 120 | $44,917 | 38% |
| Ogden, UT | $43,050 | 270 | $42,900 | 45% |
| Kennewick, WA | $42,760 | – | $42,726 | 48% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $42,590 | 370 | $43,173 | 42% |
| Yuma, AZ | $42,560 | 120 | $45,909 | 40% |
| Akron, OH | $42,510 | 440 | $45,529 | 37% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $42,280 | 190 | $41,983 | 50% |
| Naples, FL | $42,020 | 180 | $40,717 | 74% |
| Allentown, PA | $41,970 | 900 | $41,983 | 53% |
| Dallas, TX | $41,940 | 3,020 | $40,683 | 47% |
| Detroit, MI | $41,890 | 2,230 | $41,766 | 43% |
| Rochester, NY | $41,770 | 120 | $43,046 | 44% |
| Columbus, GA | $41,730 | 210 | $46,732 | 39% |
| Lexington Park, MD | $41,650 | 50 | $41,336 | 58% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $41,570 | 690 | $41,212 | 47% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $41,460 | 1,150 | $43,794 | 42% |
| Palm Bay, FL | $41,330 | 230 | $41,328 | 55% |
| Toledo, OH | $41,240 | 190 | $45,093 | 37% |
| Topeka, KS | $41,220 | 70 | $46,408 | 36% |
| Tucson, AZ | $41,140 | 810 | $42,458 | 43% |
| Lakeland, FL | $41,120 | 170 | $42,330 | 53% |
| Boise, ID | $41,090 | 380 | $41,762 | 56% |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $41,060 | 90 | $46,653 | 37% |
| Columbus, IN | $40,990 | 160 | $44,074 | 40% |
| Macon, GA | $40,940 | 50 | $46,245 | 36% |
| South Bend, IN | $40,910 | 530 | $44,057 | 37% |
| Peoria, IL | $40,740 | 160 | $44,656 | 34% |
| Springfield, IL | $40,720 | 150 | $43,905 | 36% |
| Austin, TX | $40,610 | 1,590 | $41,411 | 47% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $40,550 | 840 | $42,519 | 45% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $40,540 | 770 | $40,750 | 50% |
| Bloomington, IL | $40,480 | 60 | $43,277 | 38% |
| Clarksville, TN | $40,390 | 150 | $44,410 | 40% |
| The Villages, FL | $40,380 | 30 | $47,270 | 51% |
| Tampa, FL | $40,340 | 1,330 | $39,984 | 59% |
| Bloomington, IN | $40,320 | 240 | $42,405 | 52% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $40,290 | 390 | $43,773 | 46% |
| Tulsa, OK | $40,130 | 280 | $44,982 | 41% |
| Chambersburg, PA | $39,980 | 60 | $42,243 | 40% |
| Columbia, SC | $39,980 | 210 | $42,685 | 47% |
| Panama City, FL | $39,940 | 120 | $41,050 | 52% |
| Des Moines, IA | $39,750 | 300 | $43,347 | 39% |
| Lake Havasu City, AZ | $39,750 | 100 | $42,243 | 46% |
| Chattanooga, TN | $39,730 | 460 | $43,438 | 46% |
| Williamsport, PA | $39,650 | 50 | $42,934 | 33% |
| Louisville, KY | $39,620 | 530 | $42,568 | 41% |
| Crestview, FL | $39,590 | 170 | $40,801 | 60% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $39,530 | 2,280 | $37,712 | 53% |
| Lexington, KY | $39,220 | 130 | $42,222 | 49% |
| Memphis, TN | $39,210 | 670 | $42,537 | 43% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $39,060 | 270 | $43,204 | 43% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $39,020 | 300 | $40,839 | 46% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $39,010 | 430 | $42,140 | 39% |
| Bismarck, ND | $38,990 | 50 | $42,835 | 40% |
| Jackson, TN | $38,930 | 190 | $45,520 | 43% |
| Dayton, OH | $38,900 | 240 | $41,966 | 41% |
| Gainesville, FL | $38,780 | 340 | $40,090 | 51% |
| Deltona, FL | $38,640 | 230 | $38,886 | 55% |
| Columbus, OH | $38,620 | 650 | $40,453 | 47% |
| St. George, UT | $38,620 | 150 | $39,683 | 57% |
| Tallahassee, FL | $38,570 | 140 | $41,067 | 46% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $38,560 | 1,520 | $39,778 | 48% |
| Ocala, FL | $38,540 | 130 | $40,469 | 50% |
| Provo, UT | $38,540 | 720 | $39,234 | 55% |
| Youngstown, OH | $38,520 | 330 | $44,076 | 33% |
| Grand Forks, ND | $38,480 | 60 | $44,402 | 35% |
| San Antonio, TX | $38,360 | 1,160 | $40,500 | 44% |
| Evansville, IN | $38,170 | 330 | $41,703 | 35% |
| Rochester, MN | $38,150 | 180 | $42,006 | 50% |
| Fayetteville, NC | $38,020 | – | $41,336 | 46% |
| North Port, FL | $38,010 | 740 | $37,113 | 66% |
| Beaumont, TX | $37,990 | 80 | $42,190 | 41% |
| Huntsville, AL | $37,990 | 250 | $40,818 | 44% |
| Erie, PA | $37,860 | 160 | $41,627 | 36% |
| Wichita, KS | $37,850 | 270 | $42,554 | 38% |
| El Centro, CA | $37,820 | 40 | $39,738 | 57% |
| La Crosse, WI | $37,770 | 80 | $41,158 | 43% |
| Appleton, WI | $37,670 | 210 | $40,760 | 38% |
| Little Rock, AR | $37,630 | 490 | $42,109 | 39% |
| Kingsport, TN | $37,610 | 90 | $43,506 | 42% |
| Pensacola, FL | $37,580 | 260 | $38,458 | 55% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $37,520 | 130 | $40,487 | 46% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $37,410 | 430 | $42,646 | 54% |
| Jonesboro, AR | $37,330 | 260 | $43,470 | 40% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $37,280 | 870 | $39,018 | 52% |
| Mobile, AL | $37,270 | 140 | $42,305 | 41% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $37,260 | 660 | $37,175 | 74% |
| Fayetteville, AR | $37,200 | 300 | $40,721 | 51% |
| Killeen, TX | $37,110 | 210 | $40,721 | 42% |
| Terre Haute, IN | $37,090 | 110 | $42,245 | 32% |
| Reading, PA | $36,990 | 280 | $38,110 | 50% |
| Johnstown, PA | $36,870 | 40 | $42,908 | 29% |
| Las Cruces, NM | $36,870 | 220 | $40,870 | 48% |
| Birmingham, AL | $36,820 | 1,100 | $40,177 | 46% |
| Jackson, MS | $36,740 | 260 | $41,259 | 48% |
| Springfield, OH | $36,700 | 50 | $40,561 | 39% |
| San Angelo, TX | $36,680 | 80 | $39,674 | 43% |
| Waco, TX | $36,660 | 100 | $39,611 | 46% |
| Green Bay, WI | $36,620 | 210 | $39,340 | 37% |
| Decatur, AL | $36,560 | 180 | $41,921 | 36% |
| Cape Girardeau, MO | $36,350 | 80 | $42,229 | 33% |
| New Orleans, LA | $36,120 | 240 | $39,008 | 52% |
| Pinehurst, NC | $35,930 | 50 | $40,674 | 62% |
| Decatur, IL | $35,830 | 30 | $40,522 | 35% |
| El Paso, TX | $35,540 | 240 | $39,528 | 51% |
| Charleston, WV | $35,150 | 130 | $39,620 | 41% |
| Joplin, MO | $35,120 | 180 | $40,972 | 42% |
| Amarillo, TX | $35,090 | 150 | $38,216 | 45% |
| Billings, MT | $35,030 | – | $37,455 | 48% |
| Dothan, AL | $34,930 | 140 | $41,666 | 42% |
| Sheboygan, WI | $34,710 | 40 | $36,920 | 46% |
| Huntington, WV | $34,570 | 180 | $39,097 | 38% |
| Sierra Vista, AZ | $34,560 | 50 | $38,726 | 44% |
| Lake Charles, LA | $34,550 | 120 | $40,244 | 47% |
| Tyler, TX | $34,400 | 60 | $37,328 | 46% |
| Shreveport, LA | $34,320 | 210 | $40,488 | 45% |
| Wilmington, NC | $34,200 | 290 | $35,469 | 61% |
| Janesville, WI | $34,070 | 110 | $36,360 | 46% |
| Eau Claire, WI | $33,280 | 90 | $35,864 | 41% |
| Goldsboro, NC | $32,440 | 50 | $36,671 | 56% |
| Montgomery, AL | $32,250 | 190 | $35,960 | 51% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $32,010 | 750 | $35,261 | 51% |
| Brownsville, TX | $31,770 | 80 | $36,953 | 57% |
| Gulfport, MS | $31,480 | 140 | $34,975 | 54% |
| Slidell, LA | $31,270 | 50 | $33,723 | – |
| Fort Smith, AR | $30,960 | 140 | $36,047 | 42% |
| Lafayette, LA | $30,210 | 300 | $34,641 | 55% |
| Monroe, LA | $29,880 | 130 | $35,743 | 47% |
| Wheeling, WV | $29,430 | 90 | $33,321 | 35% |
| Alexandria, LA | $29,190 | 220 | $34,066 | 42% |
What the median psychiatric technician salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $45,130 |
| Month | $3,761 |
| Every two weeks | $1,736 |
| Week | $868 |
| Hour | $21.70 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a psychiatric technician: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Postsecondary nondegree award |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | Less than 5 years |
| On-the-job training | Short-term on-the-job training |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +22.3% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 17,000 |
| Self-employed | % |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Ultrasound tech | $96,590 | Associate's degree |
| Vet tech | $47,380 | Associate's degree |
| Speech-language pathologist | $97,870 | Master's degree |
| Medical lab tech | $62,930 | Bachelor's degree |
| Physician assistant | $135,880 | Master's degree |
| Nurse practitioner | $132,300 | Master's degree |
| MRI tech | $95,480 | Associate's degree |
| Radiology tech | $80,110 | Associate's degree |
Questions about psychiatric technician pay
How much does a psychiatric technician make an hour?
The median is $21.70 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $16.87 and the top 10% over $29.21.
How much does a psychiatric technician make a month?
About $3,761 a month before taxes at the median salary of $45,130, or $1,736 every two weeks.
What state pays psychiatric technicians the most?
The District of Columbia, with a median of $67,430. Oregon ($59,820), New York ($58,080), Nebraska ($57,370) and Connecticut ($55,500) follow.
Where do psychiatric technicians make the most after cost of living?
Nebraska: its median of $57,370 is worth $63,672 at typical US prices. The District of Columbia, Oregon and New York come next.
How much do entry-level psychiatric technicians make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of psychiatric technicians earn under $35,090 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $38,430, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a psychiatric technician?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a postsecondary certificate (a nondegree award). Work experience in a related job: less than 5 years. On-the-job training: short-term on-the-job training.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 29-2053 (Psychiatric Technicians). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.