How much does a psychiatric technician make?
The median psychiatric technician in the United States earns $45,130 per year, about $21.70 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all psychiatric technicians earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 29-2053.
Psychiatric technician salary range
Pay for psychiatric technicians spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $35,090 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $60,750. The average (mean) wage of $46,610 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 | $35,090 | $16.87 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $38,430 | $18.48 | |
| Median (50th) | $45,130 | $21.70 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $50,160 | $24.12 | |
| 90th percentile | $60,750 | $29.21 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for psychiatric technicians (SOC 29-2053), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Psychiatric technician salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Psychiatric technicians earn the most in District of Columbia at $67,430 a year, and the least in Louisiana at $31,440. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $67,430 | 380 |
| Oregon | $59,820 | 1,250 |
| New York | $58,080 | 2,040 |
| Nebraska | $57,370 | 1,390 |
| Connecticut | $55,500 | 1,040 |
| Hawaii | $55,150 | 2,060 |
| New Jersey | $54,040 | 2,520 |
| Washington | $52,470 | 1,920 |
| Massachusetts | $52,000 | 5,340 |
| Alaska | $51,650 | 340 |
| California | $49,140 | 14,100 |
| Rhode Island | $48,520 | 990 |
| Virginia | $48,320 | 3,950 |
| Vermont | $47,560 | 600 |
| Colorado | $47,430 | 1,740 |
| Nevada | $46,450 | 2,060 |
| Georgia | $46,250 | 5,560 |
| Illinois | $46,200 | 9,410 |
| Missouri | $45,840 | 4,450 |
| Arizona | $45,640 | 8,160 |
| Maryland | $45,520 | 680 |
| Maine | $45,320 | 620 |
| New Hampshire | $44,660 | 260 |
| Pennsylvania | $43,930 | 10,340 |
| Kansas | $43,780 | 1,670 |
| Florida | $43,570 | 12,710 |
| Michigan | $43,140 | 4,850 |
| Iowa | $42,910 | 690 |
| Idaho | $41,490 | 780 |
| South Carolina | $40,970 | 560 |
| Indiana | $40,910 | 6,790 |
| Utah | $40,770 | 1,940 |
| North Carolina | $40,630 | 5,950 |
| Kentucky | $40,370 | 910 |
| Minnesota | $40,300 | 3,550 |
| Wisconsin | $40,290 | 4,430 |
| Texas | $39,970 | 11,350 |
| North Dakota | $39,960 | 270 |
| Tennessee | $39,800 | 3,810 |
| Montana | $39,190 | 310 |
| Ohio | $39,140 | 3,950 |
| Oklahoma | $39,060 | 820 |
| New Mexico | $39,020 | 660 |
| Delaware | $38,410 | 350 |
| Alabama | $36,680 | 3,290 |
| Arkansas | $35,930 | 1,900 |
| Mississippi | $35,320 | 930 |
| West Virginia | $34,100 | 770 |
| Louisiana | $31,440 | 2,420 |
State median wages for psychiatric technicians (SOC 29-2053), 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 technicians
The BLS projects employment of psychiatric technicians to grow 22.3% from 2025 to 2035. That is much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 161,500 jobs in 2025 moving toward 197,500 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 17,000 openings a year for psychiatric technicians. 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 technician
The typical entry-level education for psychiatric technicians is a postsecondary nondegree award, such as a certificate, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect less than 5 years of work experience in a related occupation. 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 technician earns
Specialty, work setting, shift differentials, certifications, and region drive the numbers. Hospitals, surgical settings, and high cost metros pay above clinics and rural facilities.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $67,430) and the lowest (Louisiana, $31,440) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 156,960 people work as psychiatric technicians in the United States. At $45,130 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Psychiatric technician salary FAQ
How much does a psychiatric technician make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a psychiatric technician is $21.70. The middle half of psychiatric technicians earn between $18.48 and $24.12 per hour.
What is the highest psychiatric technician salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of psychiatric technicians earn more than $60,750 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a psychiatric technician make a year?
The median annual salary for a psychiatric technician is $45,130. The average (mean) wage of $46,610 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 technician a well paid job?
At $45,130 a year, a psychiatric technician earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 156,960 people work as psychiatric technicians in the United States.
Which state pays psychiatric technicians the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for psychiatric technicians at $67,430 a year. Oregon ($59,820) and New York ($58,080) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a psychiatric technician a good career?
Employment of psychiatric technicians is projected to grow 22.3% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 17,000 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a psychiatric technician?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for psychiatric technicians as a postsecondary nondegree award, such as a certificate, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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