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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.

Median salary (BLS)

$45,130

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$35k – $61k

Job outlook

+20% (much faster than average)

AI exposure

Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $93,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.

Plan a path to Psychiatric Technicians

Qualification costsStack incomeBest cities/statesSchool ROIJob-posting fitTailored resume

Education

Typical entry: Associate degree

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$8,200–$23,000

Time to qualify

2.2 yr

Renewal

$75/yr

  1. 1

    Associate degree (community college)

    Degree

    Two years at in-district rates — average published tuition & fees ≈ $4,050/yr, plus ~$1,200/yr books & supplies.

    $8,000–$22,000 · 2 years source

  2. 2

    National & state licensure

    License

    A national board/registry exam plus a state license application (the NCLEX pattern). Exact exam and fees depend on the role and state.

    $200–$1,000 · 2 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Psychiatric Technicians" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Psychiatric Technicians

    Entry / Junior

    $35,090

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Psychiatric Technicians

    Established

    $45,130

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Psychiatric Technicians

    Senior

    $52,940

Key skills

A typical 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.
  • •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.

Fields of study

Any field

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.