How much does a psychiatric aide make?
The median psychiatric aide in the United States earns $44,910 per year, about $21.59 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all psychiatric aides earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 31-1133.
Psychiatric aide salary range
Pay for psychiatric aides spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $32,090 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $60,440. The average (mean) wage of $45,690 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $32,090 | $15.43 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $37,750 | $18.15 | |
| Median (50th) | $44,910 | $21.59 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $49,950 | $24.01 | |
| 90th percentile | $60,440 | $29.06 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for psychiatric aides (SOC 31-1133), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Psychiatric aide salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Psychiatric aides earn the most in Minnesota at $55,040 a year, and the least in Alabama at $27,150. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $55,040 | 620 |
| Washington | $52,570 | 330 |
| Hawaii | $52,310 | 30 |
| Maryland | $51,440 | 250 |
| Nevada | $51,400 | 220 |
| Rhode Island | $51,100 | 130 |
| New York | $50,220 | 5,120 |
| Alaska | $49,300 | 190 |
| Illinois | $48,670 | 120 |
| Oregon | $48,300 | 1,550 |
| Vermont | $47,860 | 330 |
| California | $47,500 | 3,760 |
| Maine | $46,720 | 110 |
| Montana | $46,340 | 330 |
| Colorado | $46,130 | 300 |
| Michigan | $45,800 | 1,410 |
| New Jersey | $45,780 | 2,060 |
| Massachusetts | $45,300 | 950 |
| Oklahoma | $44,960 | N/A |
| Indiana | $44,860 | 1,930 |
| Pennsylvania | $44,790 | 1,620 |
| Connecticut | $44,660 | 520 |
| Texas | $42,560 | 1,760 |
| Utah | $40,810 | 130 |
| Missouri | $39,840 | 110 |
| Iowa | $39,260 | 400 |
| Kentucky | $38,610 | 250 |
| Ohio | $38,480 | 980 |
| North Carolina | $38,400 | N/A |
| Kansas | $38,390 | 580 |
| Florida | $37,930 | 2,210 |
| West Virginia | $37,910 | 220 |
| Virginia | $37,280 | N/A |
| Georgia | $36,790 | 1,090 |
| South Carolina | $36,320 | 200 |
| Arkansas | $36,270 | 490 |
| Mississippi | $30,510 | 2,490 |
| Louisiana | $30,030 | 280 |
| Alabama | $27,150 | 790 |
State median wages for psychiatric aides (SOC 31-1133), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for psychiatric aides
The BLS projects employment of psychiatric aides to grow 1.9% from 2025 to 2035. That is slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 36,900 jobs in 2025 moving toward 37,600 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 4,900 openings a year for psychiatric aides. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a psychiatric aide
The typical entry-level education for psychiatric aides is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a psychiatric aide earns
Certification, work setting, shift, and region shape pay. Hospitals and high cost metros pay above clinics, nursing homes, and rural facilities.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Minnesota, $55,040) and the lowest (Alabama, $27,150) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 35,520 people work as psychiatric aides in the United States. At $44,910 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Psychiatric aide salary FAQ
How much does a psychiatric aide make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a psychiatric aide is $21.59. The middle half of psychiatric aides earn between $18.15 and $24.01 per hour.
What is the highest psychiatric aide salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of psychiatric aides earn more than $60,440 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a psychiatric aide make a year?
The median annual salary for a psychiatric aide is $44,910. The average (mean) wage of $45,690 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a psychiatric aide a well paid job?
At $44,910 a year, a psychiatric aide earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 35,520 people work as psychiatric aides in the United States.
Which state pays psychiatric aides the most?
Minnesota has the highest median salary for psychiatric aides at $55,040 a year. Washington ($52,570) and Hawaii ($52,310) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a psychiatric aide a good career?
Employment of psychiatric aides is projected to grow 1.9% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 4,900 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a psychiatric aide?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for psychiatric aides as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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