Psychiatric Technician Salary in Los Angeles, CA
Psychiatric Technicians in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area earn a median $48,040 a year — 6% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $39,224 take-home, or $3,269 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median psychiatric technician salary in Los Angeles, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,585
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,978
- Medicare (1.45%)$697
- California income tax$932
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$625
- Take-home pay$39,224
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Psychiatric Technician pay by experience in Los Angeles, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,750 | $19.59 | $33,774 | $2,814 |
| 25th percentile | $47,100 | $22.64 | $38,537 | $3,211 |
| Median (50th) | $48,040 | $23.10 | $39,224 | $3,269 |
| 75th percentile | $57,750 | $27.76 | $46,317 | $3,860 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,400 | $35.77 | $57,463 | $4,789 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $48,040 buys in Los Angeles, CA
Prices in Los Angeles, CA are 13.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.70× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median psychiatric technician's $39,224 take-home pay has the buying power of $34,538 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Psychiatric Technician jobs are less concentrated in Los Angeles, CA than nationally (location quotient 0.75), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for psychiatric technicians, adjusted for cost of living
Los Angeles, CA ranks #10 of 11 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston, MA | $57,610 | $45,809 | $42,312 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $58,610 | $46,705 | $41,492 |
| 3 | Atlanta, GA | $47,650 | $38,617 | $38,594 |
| 4 | Indianapolis, IN | $44,710 | $36,815 | $38,471 |
| 5 | Houston, TX | $43,320 | $36,988 | $37,502 |
| 6 | Philadelphia, PA | $46,920 | $38,440 | $37,482 |
| 7 | Phoenix, AZ | $46,550 | $38,628 | $37,388 |
| 8 | Chicago, IL | $46,060 | $37,054 | $35,768 |
| 10 | Los Angeles, CA | $48,040 | $39,224 | $34,538 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 11 metros →
About the job: psychiatric technicians
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 education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Work experience
- Less than 5 years
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +22.3% (much faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a psychiatric technician make in Los Angeles, CA?
The median psychiatric technician salary in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area is $48,040 a year, or about $23.10 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $47,100 and $57,750.
What is a psychiatric technician’s take-home pay in Los Angeles, CA?
On the median $48,040 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $39,224 a year ($3,269 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,556 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Los Angeles, CA a good place to work as a psychiatric technician?
Pay here is 6% above the national median of $45,130. Local prices are 13.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $34,538 would in a typical U.S. city. Los Angeles, CA ranks #10 of 11 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a psychiatric technician afford rent in Los Angeles, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Los Angeles, CA is $2,245 a month ($2,755 for two bedrooms) — 69% of a median psychiatric technician’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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