Psychiatric Technician Salary in Chicago, IL
Psychiatric Technicians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $46,060 a year — 2% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $37,054 take-home, or $3,088 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median psychiatric technician salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,347
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,856
- Medicare (1.45%)$668
- Illinois income tax$2,135
- Take-home pay$37,054
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Psychiatric Technician pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,420 | $18.47 | $31,293 | $2,608 |
| 25th percentile | $39,760 | $19.12 | $32,304 | $2,692 |
| Median (50th) | $46,060 | $22.14 | $37,054 | $3,088 |
| 75th percentile | $49,790 | $23.94 | $39,866 | $3,322 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $51,450 | $24.74 | $41,118 | $3,427 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $46,060 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median psychiatric technician's $37,054 take-home pay has the buying power of $35,768 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Chicago, IL has 1.5× 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
Chicago, IL ranks #40 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 |
| 40 | 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 63 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a psychiatric technician make in Chicago, IL?
The median psychiatric technician salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $46,060 a year, or about $22.14 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $39,760 and $49,790.
What is a psychiatric technician’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $46,060 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $37,054 a year ($3,088 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,135 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a psychiatric technician?
Pay here is 2% above the national median of $45,130. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $35,768 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #40 of 63 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a psychiatric technician afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 50% of a median psychiatric technician’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
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- Nurse Anesthetist — $239,200+
- Psychiatrist — $239,200+
- Emergency Medicine Physician — $239,200+
- General Internal Medicine Physician — $226,060
- Family Medicine Physician — $225,080
- Obstetrician and Gynecologist — $208,000
- Pediatricians, General — $188,340
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- Pharmacist — $140,880