Employment of psychiatric technicians and aides is projected to grow 5 percent from 2014 to 2024, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

Cognitive mental disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease and dementia, are more likely to occur among older persons. As the nation's population ages and people live longer, demand for psychiatric technicians and aides in residential facilities is expected to rise so that these workers can care for patients affected by such disorders. Psychiatric technicians and aides also will be needed in correctional facilities, to care for the aging prisoner population.

More psychiatric technicians and aides will be needed in residential treatment facilities and in outpatient care centers to care for patients with developmental disabilities, mental illness, and substance abuse problems. There is a long-term trend toward treating psychiatric patients in community-based settings rather than in hospitals. These settings allow patients greater independence, and they are often more cost effective.

The number of individuals who have access to health insurance is expected to continue to increase because of federal health insurance reform. Such reform will expand coverage of mental health disorders to millions of people, and more technicians and aides will be needed to provide mental health services for them.