Psychiatric Technician Salary
Psychiatric Technicians earn a median $45,130 a year nationally. Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
What psychiatric technicians do
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)
- Openings per year
- 17,000
Employment of psychiatric technicians is projected to grow 22.3% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 17,000 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 Technician take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,236
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,798
- Medicare (1.45%)$654
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$38,442
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,090 | $16.87 | $30,375 |
| 25th percentile | $38,430 | $18.48 | $33,059 |
| Median (50th) | $45,130 | $21.70 | $38,442 |
| 75th percentile | $50,160 | $24.12 | $42,484 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,750 | $29.21 | $50,993 |
Best cities for psychiatric technicians (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston, MA | $57,610 | $45,809 | $42,312 | 3,460 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $58,610 | $46,705 | $41,492 | 2,980 |
| 3 | Atlanta, GA | $47,650 | $38,617 | $38,594 | 4,230 |
| 4 | Indianapolis, IN | $44,710 | $36,815 | $38,471 | 2,440 |
| 5 | Houston, TX | $43,320 | $36,988 | $37,502 | 3,300 |
| 6 | Philadelphia, PA | $46,920 | $38,440 | $37,482 | 4,560 |
| 7 | Phoenix, AZ | $46,550 | $38,628 | $37,388 | 6,630 |
| 8 | Chicago, IL | $46,060 | $37,054 | $35,768 | 6,730 |
| 9 | Dallas, TX | $41,940 | $35,879 | $34,803 | 3,020 |
| 10 | Los Angeles, CA | $48,040 | $39,224 | $34,538 | 4,770 |
| 11 | Miami, FL | $44,500 | $37,936 | $33,232 | 3,890 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $58,610
- Boston, MA — $57,610
- Los Angeles, CA — $48,040
- Atlanta, GA — $47,650
- Philadelphia, PA — $46,920
- Phoenix, AZ — $46,550
- Chicago, IL — $46,060
- Indianapolis, IN — $44,710
- Miami, FL — $44,500
- Houston, TX — $43,320
- Dallas, TX — $41,940
Psychiatric Technician salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $67,430 | +3.6% | $53,331 | $42,440 – $78,460 | 380 |
| Oregon | $59,820 | +15.8% | $45,841 | $44,570 – $73,530 | 1,250 |
| New York | $58,080 | +0.8% | $46,308 | $41,650 – $85,920 | 2,040 |
| Nebraska | $57,370 | +17.7% | $46,546 | $39,490 – $62,000 | 1,390 |
| Connecticut | $55,500 | +10.6% | $45,202 | $41,250 – $77,540 | 1,040 |
| Hawaii | $55,150 | +5.7% | $43,832 | $45,830 – $63,720 | 2,060 |
| New Jersey | $54,040 | −6.8% | $44,163 | $45,770 – $64,620 | 2,520 |
| Washington | $52,470 | +2.9% | $44,340 | $44,030 – $76,730 | 1,920 |
| Massachusetts | $52,000 | −0.6% | $41,582 | $40,140 – $66,330 | 5,340 |
| Alaska | $51,650 | +4.7% | $43,681 | $40,270 – $77,830 | 340 |
| California | $49,140 | −20.3% | $40,027 | $40,880 – $88,090 | 14,100 |
| Rhode Island | $48,520 | +0.0% | $39,963 | $43,450 – $62,490 | 990 |
| Virginia | $48,320 | +5.0% | $39,041 | $38,580 – $58,530 | 3,950 |
| Vermont | $47,560 | +1.9% | $39,235 | $40,630 – $58,360 | 600 |
| Colorado | $47,430 | −1.8% | $38,911 | $40,940 – $59,810 | 1,740 |
| Nevada | $46,450 | −2.9% | $39,503 | $38,480 – $56,250 | 2,060 |
| Georgia | $46,250 | +6.3% | $37,564 | $37,530 – $58,130 | 5,560 |
| Illinois | $46,200 | −4.8% | $37,160 | $36,820 – $53,620 | 9,410 |
| Missouri | $45,840 | +5.9% | $37,795 | $34,870 – $55,530 | 4,450 |
| Arizona | $45,640 | +6.1% | $37,919 | $36,240 – $56,420 | 8,160 |
| Maryland | $45,520 | +16.7% | $36,957 | $34,500 – $61,190 | 680 |
| Maine | $45,320 | +4.8% | $36,717 | $39,320 – $51,740 | 620 |
| New Hampshire | $44,660 | −7.6% | $38,064 | $44,180 – $60,530 | 260 |
| Pennsylvania | $43,930 | +7.5% | $36,129 | $36,920 – $54,000 | 10,340 |
| Kansas | $43,780 | +13.1% | $35,714 | $36,710 – $49,300 | 1,670 |
| Florida | $43,570 | +9.1% | $37,188 | $35,280 – $57,290 | 12,710 |
| Michigan | $43,140 | +10.0% | $35,260 | $36,630 – $72,550 | 4,850 |
| Iowa | $42,910 | +8.2% | $35,679 | $36,370 – $46,310 | 690 |
| Idaho | $41,490 | +4.4% | $34,427 | $37,980 – $48,180 | 780 |
| South Carolina | $40,970 | +6.3% | $33,798 | $35,390 – $53,170 | 560 |
| Indiana | $40,910 | +4.5% | $33,874 | $36,010 – $50,190 | 6,790 |
| Utah | $40,770 | +3.6% | $34,070 | $34,760 – $47,870 | 1,940 |
| North Carolina | $40,630 | +3.2% | $33,714 | $33,900 – $50,530 | 5,950 |
| Kentucky | $40,370 | +6.7% | $33,322 | $31,300 – $54,750 | 910 |
| Minnesota | $40,300 | −17.1% | $33,224 | $36,830 – $58,490 | 3,550 |
| Wisconsin | $40,290 | +3.9% | $33,561 | $32,560 – $84,760 | 4,430 |
| Texas | $39,970 | +3.9% | $34,296 | $33,240 – $49,250 | 11,350 |
| North Dakota | $39,960 | +3.1% | $34,288 | $38,350 – $55,760 | 270 |
| Tennessee | $39,800 | +4.8% | $34,159 | $31,370 – $53,940 | 3,810 |
| Montana | $39,190 | +3.5% | $32,584 | $35,030 – $54,350 | 310 |
| Ohio | $39,140 | +4.4% | $33,335 | $31,550 – $48,840 | 3,950 |
| Oklahoma | $39,060 | +7.9% | $32,353 | $34,080 – $62,400 | 820 |
| New Mexico | $39,020 | +4.6% | $32,822 | $31,390 – $49,760 | 660 |
| Delaware | $38,410 | +3.8% | $31,588 | $32,100 – $47,320 | 350 |
| Alabama | $36,680 | +4.2% | $30,083 | $23,330 – $45,870 | 3,290 |
| Arkansas | $35,930 | +8.6% | $29,861 | $29,790 – $44,130 | 1,900 |
| Mississippi | $35,320 | +17.9% | $29,879 | $27,540 – $49,770 | 930 |
| West Virginia | $34,100 | +10.4% | $28,677 | $30,130 – $44,270 | 770 |
| Louisiana | $31,440 | +4.7% | $26,885 | $28,400 – $36,830 | 2,420 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $45,570 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +21.4% |
| Pharmacy Technician | $45,750 | High school diploma or equivalent | +6.4% |
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician | $47,380 | Associate's degree | +9.4% |
| Dietetic Technician | $37,640 | Associate's degree | +2.7% |
| Surgical Technologist | $64,650 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +5.0% |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $44,470 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +5.8% |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $47,260 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.2% |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $50,290 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +5.9% |
| Medical Records Specialist | $51,140 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +7.8% |
| Paramedic | $60,600 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +5.7% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a psychiatric technician make?
The national median salary for psychiatric technicians is $45,130 a year ($21.70 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $35,090 and the top 10% earn over $60,750. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays psychiatric technicians the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median pay at $67,430. After taxes and local prices, Boston, MA offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many psychiatric technicians are there in the U.S.?
About 156,960 people work as psychiatric technicians nationwide.