Psychiatric Technician Salary in Philadelphia, PA
Psychiatric Technicians in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area earn a median $46,920 a year — 4% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $38,440 take-home, or $3,203 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median psychiatric technician salary in Philadelphia, PA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,450
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,909
- Medicare (1.45%)$680
- Pennsylvania income tax$1,440
- Take-home pay$38,440
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.07% state
Living in Philadelphia? City residents also pay Philadelphia’s Resident Wage Tax — about $1,755 a year on this salary — which lowers take-home pay to $36,685 ($3,057 a month). Choose “Philadelphia” under City income tax in the calculator. Suburban residents usually don’t pay it.
The Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro spans Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Psychiatric Technician pay by experience in Philadelphia, PA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,500 | $18.51 | $31,933 | $2,661 |
| 25th percentile | $42,480 | $20.42 | $35,009 | $2,917 |
| Median (50th) | $46,920 | $22.56 | $38,440 | $3,203 |
| 75th percentile | $50,520 | $24.29 | $41,222 | $3,435 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,240 | $28.00 | $47,188 | $3,932 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Pennsylvania resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $46,920 buys in Philadelphia, PA
Prices in Philadelphia, PA are 2.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.13× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median psychiatric technician's $38,440 take-home pay has the buying power of $37,482 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Philadelphia, PA has 1.6× the national concentration of psychiatric technician jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for psychiatric technicians, adjusted for cost of living
Philadelphia, PA ranks #6 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 |
*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 Philadelphia, PA?
The median psychiatric technician salary in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area is $46,920 a year, or about $22.56 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $42,480 and $50,520.
What is a psychiatric technician’s take-home pay in Philadelphia, PA?
On the median $46,920 salary, a single filer living in Pennsylvania takes home about $38,440 a year ($3,203 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,440 in Pennsylvania taxes in 2026.
Is Philadelphia, PA a good place to work as a psychiatric technician?
Pay here is 4% above the national median of $45,130. Local prices are 2.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $37,482 would in a typical U.S. city. Philadelphia, PA ranks #6 of 11 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a psychiatric technician afford rent in Philadelphia, PA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Philadelphia, PA is $1,520 a month ($1,810 for two bedrooms) — 47% of a median psychiatric technician’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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