The median annual wage for psychiatric technicians was $31,140 in May 2015.
The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $20,780, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $60,690.
The median annual wage for psychiatric aides was $26,190 in May 2015.
The lowest 10 percent earned less than $18,990, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $40,860.
In May 2015, the median annual wages for psychiatric technicians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
State government, excluding education and hospitals
$39,750
General medical and surgical hospitals; private
31,220
Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals; state, local, and private
31,100
Residential mental health and substance abuse facilities
26,610
Outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers
22,800
In May 2015, the median annual wages for psychiatric aides in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
General medical and surgical hospitals; private
$29,620
Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals; state, local, and private
28,530
Residential mental health and substance abuse facilities
25,540
State government, excluding education and hospitals
25,030
Residential intellectual and developmental disability facilities
21,540
Psychiatric technicians and aides may work full time or part time. Because hospitals and residential facilities are open at all hours, many psychiatric technicians and aides work nights, weekends, and holidays.
Psychiatric Technicians and Aides
Median annual wages, May 2015
Total, all occupations
$36,200
Psychiatric technicians
$31,140
Psychiatric technicians and aides
$28,320
Psychiatric aides
$26,190
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics
