Psychiatric Technicians
Psychiatric Technicians (SOC 29-2053) earn a median $45,130 a year ($21.70 an hour) in the United States, with 156,960 employed as of May 2025; the highest-paying state is District of Columbia.
What psychiatric technicians do
Psychiatric technicians care for individuals with mental or emotional conditions or disabilities, following the instructions of physicians or other health practitioners. They monitor patients' physical and emotional well-being and report unusual behavior or physical ailments to medical staff. They take and record measures of physical condition with devices such as thermometers and blood pressure gauges, and the SOC says they may administer oral or injectable medications. They provide nursing, psychiatric or personal care for patients with cognitive, intellectual or developmental disabilities, aid patients with tasks such as bathing and keeping living areas clean, and observe and influence behavior by communicating, teaching, counseling or befriending them. They encourage patients to build work skills and take part in social and recreational activities, and lead prescribed individual or group therapy sessions. They restrain violent, potentially violent or suicidal patients by verbal or physical means when required. About four in ten respondents report some college courses, and about three in ten a bachelor's degree. People in these jobs may be called behavior technician, behavioral health technician, mental health associate and licensed psychiatric technician.
Typical entry: O*NET respondents most often report some college coursework as the typical level of education for this occupation (40 percent).
Also called: Autism Behavior Technician (Autism Behavior Tech), Behavior Technician (Behavior Tech), Behavioral Health Associate, Behavioral Technician (Behavioral Tech), BHT (Behavioral Health Technician).
National wage percentiles, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $16.87 | $18.48 | $21.70 | $24.12 | $29.21 | $22.41 | 156,960 |
| Annual | $35,090 | $38,430 | $45,130 | $50,160 | $60,750 | $46,610 | ||
Employment per 1,000 jobs and the location quotient are area measures; they appear in the state and metro tables below. To see what a wage in this range leaves after tax, use FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Where psychiatric technicians earn and work most
Five highest-paying states
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| District of Columbia | Hourly | $20.41 | $23.02 | $32.42 | $37.72 | $37.72 | $30.36 | 380 | 0.54 | 0.53 |
| Annual | $42,440 | $47,880 | $67,430 | $78,460 | $78,460 | $63,160 | ||||
| Oregon | Hourly | $21.43 | $22.26 | $28.76 | $32.14 | $35.35 | $27.95 | 1,250 | 0.64 | 0.63 |
| Annual | $44,570 | $46,290 | $59,820 | $66,840 | $73,530 | $58,140 | ||||
| New York | Hourly | $20.02 | $22.42 | $27.92 | $34.86 | $41.31 | $28.88 | 2,040 | 0.21 | 0.21 |
| Annual | $41,650 | $46,630 | $58,080 | $72,500 | $85,920 | $60,080 | ||||
| Nebraska | Hourly | $18.99 | $21.91 | $27.58 | $29.64 | $29.81 | $25.86 | 1,390 | 1.36 | 1.35 |
| Annual | $39,490 | $45,570 | $57,370 | $61,650 | $62,000 | $53,800 | ||||
| Connecticut | Hourly | $19.83 | $23.10 | $26.68 | $33.65 | $37.28 | $27.75 | 1,040 | 0.62 | 0.61 |
| Annual | $41,250 | $48,050 | $55,500 | $70,000 | $77,540 | $57,720 | ||||
Five states with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| California | Hourly | $19.65 | $22.41 | $23.62 | $35.77 | $42.35 | $28.26 | 14,100 | 0.77 | 0.77 |
| Annual | $40,880 | $46,620 | $49,140 | $74,390 | $88,090 | $58,780 | ||||
| Florida | Hourly | $16.96 | $18.11 | $20.95 | $24.12 | $27.55 | $21.59 | 12,710 | 1.28 | 1.27 |
| Annual | $35,280 | $37,670 | $43,570 | $50,160 | $57,290 | $44,900 | ||||
| Texas | Hourly | $15.98 | $17.77 | $19.22 | $21.90 | $23.68 | $20.07 | 11,350 | 0.81 | 0.80 |
| Annual | $33,240 | $36,960 | $39,970 | $45,560 | $49,250 | $41,750 | ||||
| Pennsylvania | Hourly | $17.75 | $18.91 | $21.12 | $22.95 | $25.96 | $21.52 | 10,340 | 1.71 | 1.69 |
| Annual | $36,920 | $39,320 | $43,930 | $47,740 | $54,000 | $44,750 | ||||
| Illinois | Hourly | $17.70 | $19.04 | $22.21 | $24.44 | $25.78 | $22.16 | 9,410 | 1.54 | 1.53 |
| Annual | $36,820 | $39,600 | $46,200 | $50,820 | $53,620 | $46,090 | ||||
Five highest-paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | Hourly | $31.79 | $39.02 | $45.95 | $49.40 | $50.52 | $43.57 | 330 | 1.13 | 1.12 |
| Annual | $66,130 | $81,160 | $95,580 | $102,740 | $105,080 | $90,620 | ||||
| Napa, CA | Hourly | $25.11 | $37.14 | $40.37 | $43.88 | $44.80 | $38.05 | 320 | 4.09 | 4.05 |
| Annual | $52,230 | $77,240 | $83,960 | $91,260 | $93,180 | $79,140 | ||||
| Visalia, CA | Hourly | $22.84 | $31.73 | $36.87 | $37.58 | $45.63 | $35.30 | 200 | 1.17 | 1.16 |
| Annual | $47,510 | $66,000 | $76,700 | $78,160 | $94,900 | $73,420 | ||||
| Vallejo, CA | Hourly | $24.50 | $29.94 | $36.60 | $44.81 | $48.57 | $36.69 | 260 | 1.84 | 1.82 |
| Annual | $50,950 | $62,270 | $76,120 | $93,200 | $101,030 | $76,310 | ||||
| Ann Arbor, MI | Hourly | $25.86 | $34.88 | $34.88 | $34.94 | $34.94 | $32.99 | 580 | 2.65 | 2.63 |
| Annual | $53,780 | $72,550 | $72,550 | $72,680 | $72,680 | $68,620 | ||||
Five metropolitan areas with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | Hourly | $18.47 | $19.11 | $22.14 | $23.94 | $24.74 | $22.06 | 6,730 | 1.49 | 1.48 |
| Annual | $38,420 | $39,760 | $46,060 | $49,790 | $51,450 | $45,890 | ||||
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | Hourly | $17.79 | $19.25 | $22.38 | $23.19 | $28.38 | $22.07 | 6,630 | 2.79 | 2.77 |
| Annual | $37,000 | $40,050 | $46,550 | $48,220 | $59,020 | $45,900 | ||||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | Hourly | $19.59 | $22.64 | $23.10 | $27.76 | $35.77 | $25.50 | 4,770 | 0.76 | 0.75 |
| Annual | $40,750 | $47,100 | $48,040 | $57,750 | $74,400 | $53,050 | ||||
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | Hourly | $18.51 | $20.42 | $22.56 | $24.29 | $28.00 | $22.97 | 4,560 | 1.57 | 1.56 |
| Annual | $38,500 | $42,480 | $46,920 | $50,520 | $58,240 | $47,780 | ||||
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | Hourly | $18.50 | $20.82 | $22.91 | $26.00 | $29.24 | $23.27 | 4,230 | 1.46 | 1.45 |
| Annual | $38,490 | $43,310 | $47,650 | $54,080 | $60,820 | $48,390 | ||||
Top industries employing psychiatric technicians
Offices of Other Health Practitioners employ 23.2% of psychiatric technicians nationally (36,400 jobs) at a median $45,570 a year ($21.91 an hour), followed by Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Hospitals (21.1%) and Individual and Family Services (11.3%).
| Industry | Employment | Share of occupation | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Offices of Other Health Practitioners NAICS 621300 | 36,400 | 23.2% | $45,570 | $21.91 |
| Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Hospitals NAICS 622200 | 33,100 | 21.1% | $44,850 | $21.56 |
| Individual and Family Services NAICS 624100 | 17,660 | 11.3% | $47,240 | $22.71 |
| Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities NAICS 623200 | 16,060 | 10.2% | $39,800 | $19.14 |
| Outpatient Care Centers NAICS 621400 | 16,030 | 10.2% | $44,990 | $21.63 |
Share is the industry's employment over the occupation's national employment (156,960). Industries whose employment BLS withheld are not ranked.
Published medians, May 2021 to May 2025
BLS published a median annual wage of $36,570 for psychiatric technicians in May 2021 and $45,130 in May 2025, with employment of 93,410 and 156,960.
| Release | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2021 | $36,570 | $17.58 | 93,410 |
| May 2022 | $37,380 | $17.97 | 100,950 |
| May 2023 | $39,700 | $19.09 | 115,940 |
| May 2024 | $42,590 | $20.47 | 136,300 |
| May 2025 | $45,130 | $21.70 | 156,960 |
BLS does not design OEWS as a time series: each release pools three years of samples, and occupational classifications, area definitions and estimation methods change between releases, so a difference between two releases is not a measure of change over time. The figures are shown as published, side by side, and nothing is computed from them. See how often OEWS is updated.
Every state, by median wage
49 states and DC publish a row for this occupation. A linked state has its own page with the within-state metro table and comparison; the others appear here only.
| Rank | State | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia profile | $32.42 | $67,430 | $42,440 | $78,460 | 380 | 0.54 | 0.53 |
| 2 | Oregon profile | $28.76 | $59,820 | $44,570 | $73,530 | 1,250 | 0.64 | 0.63 |
| 3 | New York profile | $27.92 | $58,080 | $41,650 | $85,920 | 2,040 | 0.21 | 0.21 |
| 4 | Nebraska profile | $27.58 | $57,370 | $39,490 | $62,000 | 1,390 | 1.36 | 1.35 |
| 5 | Connecticut profile | $26.68 | $55,500 | $41,250 | $77,540 | 1,040 | 0.62 | 0.61 |
| 6 | Hawaii profile | $26.51 | $55,150 | $45,830 | $63,720 | 2,060 | 3.28 | 3.25 |
| 7 | New Jersey profile | $25.98 | $54,040 | $45,770 | $64,620 | 2,520 | 0.59 | 0.58 |
| 8 | Washington profile | $25.23 | $52,470 | $44,030 | $76,730 | 1,920 | 0.54 | 0.54 |
| 9 | Massachusetts profile | $25.00 | $52,000 | $40,140 | $66,330 | 5,340 | 1.47 | 1.45 |
| 10 | Alaska profile | $24.83 | $51,650 | $40,270 | $77,830 | 340 | 1.04 | 1.03 |
| 11 | California profile | $23.62 | $49,140 | $40,880 | $88,090 | 14,100 | 0.77 | 0.77 |
| 12 | Rhode Island profile | $23.33 | $48,520 | $43,450 | $62,490 | 990 | 1.97 | 1.95 |
| 13 | Virginia profile | $23.23 | $48,320 | $38,580 | $58,530 | 3,950 | 0.96 | 0.95 |
| 14 | Vermont profile | $22.87 | $47,560 | $40,630 | $58,360 | 600 | 1.98 | 1.96 |
| 15 | Colorado profile | $22.81 | $47,430 | $40,940 | $59,810 | 1,740 | 0.61 | 0.60 |
| 16 | Nevada profile | $22.33 | $46,450 | $38,480 | $56,250 | 2,060 | 1.33 | 1.31 |
| 17 | Georgia profile | $22.24 | $46,250 | $37,530 | $58,130 | 5,560 | 1.14 | 1.13 |
| 18 | Illinois profile | $22.21 | $46,200 | $36,820 | $53,620 | 9,410 | 1.54 | 1.53 |
| 19 | Missouri profile | $22.04 | $45,840 | $34,870 | $55,530 | 4,450 | 1.52 | 1.50 |
| 20 | Arizona profile | $21.94 | $45,640 | $36,240 | $56,420 | 8,160 | 2.52 | 2.49 |
| 21 | Maryland profile | $21.89 | $45,520 | $34,500 | $61,190 | 680 | 0.25 | 0.24 |
| 22 | Maine profile | $21.79 | $45,320 | $39,320 | $51,740 | 620 | 0.96 | 0.95 |
| 23 | New Hampshire profile | $21.47 | $44,660 | $44,180 | $60,530 | 260 | 0.38 | 0.38 |
| 24 | Pennsylvania profile | $21.12 | $43,930 | $36,920 | $54,000 | 10,340 | 1.71 | 1.69 |
| 25 | Kansas profile | $21.05 | $43,780 | $36,710 | $49,300 | 1,670 | 1.16 | 1.15 |
| 26 | Florida profile | $20.95 | $43,570 | $35,280 | $57,290 | 12,710 | 1.28 | 1.27 |
| 27 | Michigan profile | $20.74 | $43,140 | $36,630 | $72,550 | 4,850 | 1.10 | 1.09 |
| 28 | Iowa profile | $20.63 | $42,910 | $36,370 | $46,310 | 690 | 0.44 | 0.44 |
| 29 | Idaho profile | $19.95 | $41,490 | $37,980 | $48,180 | 780 | 0.91 | 0.90 |
| 30 | South Carolina profile | $19.70 | $40,970 | $35,390 | $53,170 | 560 | 0.25 | 0.24 |
| 31 | Indiana profile | $19.67 | $40,910 | $36,010 | $50,190 | 6,790 | 2.12 | 2.10 |
| 32 | Utah profile | $19.60 | $40,770 | $34,760 | $47,870 | 1,940 | 1.12 | 1.11 |
| 33 | North Carolina profile | $19.54 | $40,630 | $33,900 | $50,530 | 5,950 | 1.21 | 1.19 |
| 34 | Kentucky profile | $19.41 | $40,370 | $31,300 | $54,750 | 910 | 0.45 | 0.45 |
| 35 | Minnesota profile | $19.37 | $40,300 | $36,830 | $58,490 | 3,550 | 1.20 | 1.19 |
| 36 | Wisconsin profile | $19.37 | $40,290 | $32,560 | $84,760 | 4,430 | 1.51 | 1.49 |
| 37 | Texas profile | $19.22 | $39,970 | $33,240 | $49,250 | 11,350 | 0.81 | 0.80 |
| 38 | North Dakota profile | $19.21 | $39,960 | $38,350 | $55,760 | 270 | 0.63 | 0.62 |
| 39 | Tennessee profile | $19.13 | $39,800 | $31,370 | $53,940 | 3,810 | 1.16 | 1.15 |
| 40 | Montana profile | $18.84 | $39,190 | $35,030 | $54,350 | 310 | 0.61 | 0.60 |
| 41 | Ohio profile | $18.82 | $39,140 | $31,550 | $48,840 | 3,950 | 0.71 | 0.70 |
| 42 | Oklahoma profile | $18.78 | $39,060 | $34,080 | $62,400 | 820 | 0.48 | 0.48 |
| 43 | New Mexico profile | $18.76 | $39,020 | $31,390 | $49,760 | 660 | 0.76 | 0.76 |
| 44 | Delaware profile | $18.47 | $38,410 | $32,100 | $47,320 | 350 | 0.72 | 0.71 |
| 45 | Alabama profile | $17.63 | $36,680 | $23,330 | $45,870 | 3,290 | 1.56 | 1.54 |
| 46 | Arkansas profile | $17.27 | $35,930 | $29,790 | $44,130 | 1,900 | 1.46 | 1.45 |
| 47 | Mississippi profile | $16.98 | $35,320 | $27,540 | $49,770 | 930 | 0.80 | 0.79 |
| 48 | West Virginia profile | $16.39 | $34,100 | $30,130 | $44,270 | 770 | 1.10 | 1.08 |
| 49 | Louisiana profile | $15.12 | $31,440 | $28,400 | $36,830 | 2,420 | 1.25 | 1.24 |
Related occupations
Occupations in the same SOC broad group (29-2050), with their national median annual wage.
Part of Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations. Compare any area in the wage explorer.
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS 29-2053 Psychiatric Technicians.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.
- Top industries: nat4d_M2025_dl.xlsx in oesm25in4.zip (BLS OEWS May 2025, national, 4-digit NAICS, cross-ownership). Employment is the industry's rounded total for this occupation; industries whose employment BLS withheld (**) are not ranked.
- Published medians: national_M2021_dl.xlsx to national_M2024_dl.xlsx in oesm21nat.zip to oesm24nat.zip (BLS OEWS May 2021 to May 2024, national, cross-industry, all ownerships) and the May 2025 spine. Each release is shown as published; nothing is computed between them.
Sources
- BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018, definition of 29-2053, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- O*NET 30.1 Database, 29-2053.00, National Center for O*NET Development, USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0).
- OEWS May 2025 national industry-specific estimates, 4-digit NAICS (oesm25in4.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2021 national estimates (oesm21nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2022 national estimates (oesm22nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2023 national estimates (oesm23nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2024 national estimates (oesm24nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2025 national estimates (oesm25nat.zip), the site's data spine, US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
Includes information from O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Description written 2026-10-17 in our own words from the sources above.