Psychiatric Technicians: Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Stan T.Career, Overview

Psychiatric Technicians

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.

Salary
$38080
Becoming One
Medium
Education
No degree required
Job Satisfaction
Low
Job Growth

Personality
Interest Match



Job description

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.

  • Take and record measures of patients’ physical condition, using devices such as thermometers or blood pressure gauges.
  • Monitor patients’ physical and emotional well-being and report unusual behavior or physical ailments to medical staff.
  • Provide nursing, psychiatric, or personal care to mentally ill, emotionally disturbed, or mentally retarded patients.
  • Administer oral medications or hypodermic injections, following physician’s prescriptions and hospital procedures.
Read more about what does a Psychiatric Technician really do at work and what is it like being and working as one.



Salary

Average salary
$37760 per year

Average hourly wage
$18 per hour


Psychiatric Technicians with little to no experience tend to make between $22800 and $26940 while the more experienced ones can earn over $43680 per year.

Top 5 paying states Hourly Annual
CA $31 $64,500
CT $26 $54,130
DC $24 $50,490
OR $23 $47,710
NJ $22 $45,870

One of the easiest ways to increase your salary as a Psychiatric Technician is to move to a higher paying state like CA. Right now, the highest paying states for Psychiatric Technicians are CA, CT, DC, OR and NJ.

However, a higher pay at CA doesn’t guarantee that you will make more because the living expenses at CA might be twice as high than where you are currently at now.

Three other factors that can increase your salary as a Psychiatric Technician is the degree you hold, the industry you work in, and lastly the company you work for.


Requirements

Recommended degree level
No degree required

We asked other Psychiatric Technicians what degree they had when they got the job and most of them said they had a High School Diploma followed by a Master’s Degree.

Other than that, we also asked them what did they major in and here are the most popular majors that came up.

Psychiatric/Mental Health Services Technician
Read more about how to become a Psychiatric Technician and the degree, training and education you need.

Pros and Cons

Here are some of the pros and cons of being a Psychiatric Technician.

PROS
Suitable for people who likes to help and teach others
Suitable for people who values relationships between co-workers and customers and wants to work in a friendly non-competitive environment
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
It is not too difficult to get into this career. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
Normal working hours (40 hours per week)
CONS
Not suitable for people who likes to work with designs
One of the lowest paying jobs

What is the job like

Job satisfaction
54%

Is this job meaningful
77%


54% of Psychiatric Technicians said they were satisfied with their job and 77% said they feel like their job is making other people’s lives better.


Is this right for me

Best personality for this career
The Helpers and The Builders

You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with, communicating with, and teaching people. They like helping or providing service to others..

They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.



Learn more about Psychiatric Technicians

Summary (You are here)
Job Description
Salary
Requirements
Quiz

Related career information

Psychiatric Technicians job description, Psychiatric Technicians salary, Psychiatric Technicians information, what is the job of a Psychiatric Technician like, pros and cons about Psychiatric Technicians, colleges and universities for Psychiatric Technicians, is Psychiatric Technicians the right career for me, careers in Healthcare and Medical

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Behavioral Health Technician, Health Care Technician, Licensed Psychiatric Technician (LPT), Mental Health Assistant (MHA), Mental Health Associate, Mental Health Specialist, Mental Health Technician (MHT), Mental Health Worker, Milieu Therapist, Patient Care Specialist

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