How much does a psychiatric technician make?

The median pay is $21.70 per hour — roughly $45,000 a year, with the real range running from about $16.87/hr (10th percentile) to $29.21/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What does a psychiatric technician actually do all day?

Provide nursing, psychiatric, or personal care to patients with cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disabilities. Encourage patients to develop work skills and to participate in social, recreational, or other therapeutic activities that enhance interpersonal skills or develop social relationships. Restrain violent, potentially violent, or suicidal patients by verbal or physical means as required.

Health Care

Psychiatric Technicians

Care for individuals with mental or emotional conditions or disabilities, following the instructions of physicians or other health practitioners. Monitor patients' physical and emotional well-being and report to medical staff. May participate in rehabilitation and treatment programs, help with personal hygiene, and administer oral or injectable medications.

What it pays
Psychiatric Technicians earn a median of $21.70/hr — about $45,000 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $16.87/hr; the top 10% earn $29.21/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)

What you'd actually do

Provide nursing, psychiatric, or personal care to patients with cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disabilities.
Encourage patients to develop work skills and to participate in social, recreational, or other therapeutic activities that enhance interpersonal skills or develop social relationships.
Restrain violent, potentially violent, or suicidal patients by verbal or physical means as required.
Lead prescribed individual or group therapy sessions as part of specific therapeutic procedures.
Monitor patients' physical and emotional well-being and report unusual behavior or physical ailments to medical staff.
Take and record measures of patients' physical condition, using devices such as thermometers or blood pressure gauges.

How you get there

Typical entry-level education: Post-secondary certificate. Overall preparation: medium preparation (Job Zone 3 of 5).

The feel of the work

Much of the work happens outdoors; you're around people constantly. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)

Working for yourself

About 0% of psychiatric technicians are self-employed.

Who it tends to fit

This work tends to fit people who are people-focused, analytical and organized and detail-focused.

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Quick questions

How much does a psychiatric technician make?: The median pay is $21.70 per hour — roughly $45,000 a year, with the real range running from about $16.87/hr (10th percentile) to $29.21/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Do you need a degree to be a psychiatric technician?: The typical entry-level education is: Post-secondary certificate. Overall preparation level: medium preparation (Job Zone 3 of 5).
What does a psychiatric technician actually do all day?: Provide nursing, psychiatric, or personal care to patients with cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disabilities. Encourage patients to develop work skills and to participate in social, recreational, or other therapeutic activities that enhance interpersonal skills or develop social relationships. Restrain violent, potentially violent, or suicidal patients by verbal or physical means as required.

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS. Tasks & interests: O*NET. Career pathways shown in the app are draft archetypes — verify before relying on them. Trailhead is a free career guide for students — honest numbers, no hype.

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