Psychiatric Technician Salary in Chattanooga, TN
Psychiatric Technicians in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median $39,730 a year — 12% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $34,103 take-home, or $2,842 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median psychiatric technician salary in Chattanooga, TN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,588
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,463
- Medicare (1.45%)$576
- Tennessee income tax$0
- Take-home pay$34,103
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
The Chattanooga, TN-GA metro spans Tennessee, Georgia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Psychiatric Technician pay by experience in Chattanooga, TN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,270 | $15.51 | $28,109 | $2,342 |
| 25th percentile | $35,730 | $17.18 | $30,889 | $2,574 |
| Median (50th) | $39,730 | $19.10 | $34,103 | $2,842 |
| 75th percentile | $49,990 | $24.03 | $42,347 | $3,529 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,990 | $24.03 | $42,347 | $3,529 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Tennessee resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $39,730 buys in Chattanooga, TN
Prices in Chattanooga, TN are 8.5% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 23% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median psychiatric technician's $34,103 take-home pay has the buying power of $37,286 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Chattanooga, TN has 1.7× 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
Chattanooga, TN ranks #32 of 63 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ann Arbor, MI | $72,550 | $57,036 | $56,539 |
| 2 | Madison, WI | $64,380 | $51,858 | $53,304 |
| 3 | Omaha, NE | $48,310 | $39,679 | $43,171 |
| 4 | Springfield, MO | $45,840 | $37,795 | $42,666 |
| 5 | Fresno, CA | $53,680 | $43,344 | $42,428 |
| 6 | Boston, MA | $57,610 | $45,809 | $42,312 |
| 7 | New York, NY | $58,610 | $46,705 | $41,492 |
| 8 | St. Louis, MO | $47,970 | $39,407 | $41,442 |
| 32 | Chattanooga, TN | $39,730 | $34,103 | $37,286 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 63 metros →
Psychiatric Technician salaries elsewhere in Tennessee
- Nashville, TN — $44,450
- Memphis, TN — $39,210
Frequently asked questions
How much does a psychiatric technician make in Chattanooga, TN?
The median psychiatric technician salary in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $39,730 a year, or about $19.10 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $35,730 and $49,990.
What is a psychiatric technician’s take-home pay in Chattanooga, TN?
On the median $39,730 salary, a single filer living in Tennessee takes home about $34,103 a year ($2,842 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Chattanooga, TN a good place to work as a psychiatric technician?
Pay here is 12% below the national median of $45,130. Local prices are 8.5% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $37,286 would in a typical U.S. city. Chattanooga, TN ranks #32 of 63 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a psychiatric technician afford rent in Chattanooga, TN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chattanooga, TN is $1,263 a month ($1,390 for two bedrooms) — 44% of a median psychiatric technician’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN
- Pharmacist — $132,240
- Nurse Practitioner — $116,480
- Physical Therapist — $99,120
- Dental Hygienist — $83,460
- Registered Nurse — $79,770
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $58,580
- Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician — $58,070
- Pharmacy Technician — $40,720