Psychiatric Aide Salary
Psychiatric Aides earn a median $44,910 a year nationally. Healthcare Support Occupations
What psychiatric aides do
Assist mentally impaired or emotionally disturbed patients, working under direction of nursing and medical staff. May assist with daily living activities, lead patients in educational and recreational activities, or accompany patients to and from examinations and treatments. May restrain violent patients.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +1.9% (slower than average)
- Openings per year
- 4,900
Employment of psychiatric aides is projected to grow 1.9% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 4,900 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Psychiatric Aide take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,209
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,784
- Medicare (1.45%)$651
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$38,265
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,090 | $15.43 | $27,964 |
| 25th percentile | $37,750 | $18.15 | $32,512 |
| Median (50th) | $44,910 | $21.59 | $38,265 |
| 75th percentile | $49,950 | $24.01 | $42,315 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,440 | $29.06 | $50,744 |
Best cities for psychiatric aides (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $49,840 | $40,132 | $35,653 | 4,310 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $49,840
Psychiatric Aide salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $55,040 | +10.7% | $44,185 | $37,830 – $68,560 | 620 |
| Washington | $52,570 | +2.9% | $44,420 | $52,570 – $62,310 | 330 |
| Hawaii | $52,310 | — | $41,761 | $30,500 – $53,890 | 30 |
| Maryland | $51,440 | +19.5% | $41,432 | $37,530 – $63,220 | 250 |
| Nevada | $51,400 | +2.3% | $43,480 | $35,200 – $68,990 | 220 |
| Rhode Island | $51,100 | +5.9% | $41,939 | $43,040 – $62,530 | 130 |
| New York | $50,220 | −5.7% | $40,417 | $47,500 – $66,620 | 5,120 |
| Alaska | $49,300 | +5.0% | $41,793 | $42,550 – $61,470 | 190 |
| Illinois | $48,670 | +2.1% | $39,022 | $40,960 – $48,700 | 120 |
| Oregon | $48,300 | +3.5% | $37,592 | $40,420 – $60,900 | 1,550 |
| Vermont | $47,860 | +2.9% | $39,466 | $46,300 – $56,150 | 330 |
| California | $47,500 | +10.5% | $38,829 | $39,030 – $77,220 | 3,760 |
| Maine | $46,720 | +12.3% | $37,748 | $40,650 – $47,050 | 110 |
| Montana | $46,340 | +27.3% | $37,993 | $39,680 – $58,280 | 330 |
| Colorado | $46,130 | −9.0% | $37,924 | $41,310 – $56,140 | 300 |
| Michigan | $45,800 | +24.2% | $37,285 | $34,860 – $57,410 | 1,410 |
| New Jersey | $45,780 | −1.3% | $37,983 | $39,180 – $60,110 | 2,060 |
| Massachusetts | $45,300 | −11.6% | $36,534 | $37,020 – $80,130 | 950 |
| Oklahoma | $44,960 | +24.5% | $36,828 | $31,520 – $48,610 | — |
| Indiana | $44,860 | +3.8% | $36,931 | $37,050 – $72,800 | 1,930 |
| Pennsylvania | $44,790 | +2.7% | $36,794 | $37,930 – $61,260 | 1,620 |
| Connecticut | $44,660 | −3.5% | $36,980 | $38,290 – $68,540 | 520 |
| Texas | $42,560 | −7.0% | $36,377 | $30,430 – $55,120 | 1,760 |
| Utah | $40,810 | +15.3% | $34,100 | $36,740 – $55,220 | 130 |
| Missouri | $39,840 | +3.0% | $33,256 | $33,290 – $51,030 | 110 |
| Iowa | $39,260 | +9.9% | $32,885 | $35,060 – $65,190 | 400 |
| Kentucky | $38,610 | +2.4% | $31,969 | $35,870 – $48,310 | 250 |
| Ohio | $38,480 | −13.6% | $32,823 | $33,740 – $53,960 | 980 |
| North Carolina | $38,400 | +6.1% | $32,011 | $35,340 – $44,010 | — |
| Kansas | $38,390 | +3.6% | $31,684 | $34,110 – $45,620 | 580 |
| Florida | $37,930 | +2.1% | $32,657 | $35,670 – $44,370 | 2,210 |
| West Virginia | $37,910 | +16.1% | $31,611 | $25,020 – $46,710 | 220 |
| Virginia | $37,280 | +3.1% | $30,805 | $33,380 – $45,850 | — |
| Georgia | $36,790 | +2.0% | $30,454 | $27,840 – $41,790 | 1,090 |
| South Carolina | $36,320 | +10.5% | $30,341 | $32,320 – $39,660 | 200 |
| Arkansas | $36,270 | +4.0% | $30,121 | $27,030 – $39,950 | 490 |
| Mississippi | $30,510 | −0.5% | $26,206 | $24,420 – $38,130 | 2,490 |
| Louisiana | $30,030 | +2.4% | $25,794 | $26,640 – $44,560 | 280 |
| Alabama | $27,150 | −7.4% | $22,876 | $25,180 – $40,260 | 790 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing Assistant | $42,260 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +2.6% |
| Orderly | $38,290 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.0% |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aide | $35,800 | High school diploma or equivalent | +18.1% |
| Phlebotomist | $45,230 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +6.8% |
| Medical Assistant | $45,690 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +12.9% |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $47,700 | High school diploma or equivalent | +10.8% |
| Dental Assistant | $48,070 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +7.4% |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $48,430 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.8% |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $40,410 | Postsecondary nondegree award | -4.4% |
| Occupational Therapy Aide | $39,160 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.6% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a psychiatric aide make?
The national median salary for psychiatric aides is $44,910 a year ($21.59 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $32,090 and the top 10% earn over $60,440. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays psychiatric aides the most?
Minnesota has the highest median pay at $55,040. After taxes and local prices, New York, NY offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many psychiatric aides are there in the U.S.?
About 35,520 people work as psychiatric aides nationwide.