Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
How to Become a Psychiatric Technician or Aide Psychiatric technicians observe patients’ behavior and listen to their concerns. To enter the occupation, psychiatric technicians typically need a postsecondary certificate, and aides need at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Some states require technicians to be licensed. Both technicians and aides get on-the-job
Education
Psychiatric technicians typically need a postsecondary certificate for psychiatric technicians, behavioral health technicians, or similar titles. Programs for these certificates or associate’s degrees, available at community colleges and technical schools, train students in basic nursing skills. They include courses in psychology, anatomy, and pharmacology and also may include supervised clinical work experience. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have a bachelor’s degree. Psychiatric aides typically need a high school diploma or equivalent. Training Psychiatric technicians and aides may have a short period of on-the-job training. This training may include working with patients while under the supervision of an experienced technician or aide. Other Experience Employers may prefer that psychiatric technicians and aides have experience in a related occupation, such as having worked with people who have developmental disabilities or mental health conditions. Technician experience also may include a clinical component, which they can gain in occupations such as nursing assistant or licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse.
Training
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Licenses, Certifications & Registrations
Some states require psychiatric technicians to have a license. Requirements may include completing an accredited education program and passing an exam. Contact your state licensing board for additional information. Information on state licensing board requirements is available from CareerOneStop. Psychiatric technicians may choose to earn optional certification. Requirements vary based on education and work experience. Employers may require candidates to have certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or basic life support (BLS). Information on certifications is available from CareerOneStop.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Overall employment of psychiatric technicians and aides is projected to grow 18 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 21,900 openings for psychiatric technicians and aides are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Employment Projected employment of psychiatric technicians and aides varies by occupation (see table). Because psychiatric technicians are directly involved with day-to-day patient care, they will increasingly be needed to treat the growing number of people who have mental illness or substance use disorders. Demand for psychiatric aides is expected to be limited as organizations increasingly rely on psychiatric technicians to provide care. Psychiatric Technicians and Aides Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Psychiatric technicians 22% Psychiatric technicians and aides 18% Total, all occupations 3% Psychiatric aides 2% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Psychiatric Technicians and Aides Do
Psychiatric technicians and aides care for people who have mental or emotional conditions or developmental disabilities. Technicians typically monitor patients’ conditions and provide therapeutic care, such as overseeing their medications. Aides help patients in their daily activities and ensure a safe and clean environment.
Duties
Psychiatric technicians, sometimes called mental health technicians, typically do the following:
- Listen to patients' concerns, observe their behavior, and record their condition
- Report changes in patient health or behavior to medical staff
- Lead patients in therapeutic and recreational activities
- Provide medications and other treatments to patients, following instructions from doctors and other medical professionals
- Help with patient intake and discharge
- Monitor patients’ vital signs, such as their blood pressure and body temperature
- Help patients with daily living activities, including eating and bathing
- Restrain patients who are or may become physically violent
Psychiatric aides typically do the following:
- Monitor patients’ behavior and location in a mental healthcare facility
- Escort patients within a facility
- Help patients with daily living activities, such as bathing and dressing
- Serve meals and help patients eat
- Keep facilities clean by doing tasks such as changing bed linens
- Participate in or accompany patients to group activities, such as recreational sports or field trips
- Restrain patients who are or may become physically violent
Some psychiatric technicians and aides provide care to patients who have severe developmental disabilities or mental health issues. Others work with patients undergoing rehabilitation for drug and alcohol addiction. Their work varies based on the types of patients they work with.
Psychiatric technicians and aides work as part of a medical team under the direction of physicians or registered nurses. Other team members may include psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, counselors, and therapists. For more information about the counselors and therapists they may work with, see the profiles on substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors, rehabilitation counselors, and marriage and family therapists.
Work Environment
Work Environment
Psychiatric aides held about 36,900 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of psychiatric aides were as follows:
| Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals; state | 25% |
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 18 |
| Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals; private | 15 |
| General medical and surgical hospitals; private | 9 |
| Residential mental health and substance abuse facilities | 9 |
Psychiatric technicians held about 161,500 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of psychiatric technicians were as follows:
| Offices of mental health practitioners (except physicians) | 15% |
| Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals; private | 14 |
| Social assistance | 12 |
| Nursing and residential care facilities | 12 |
| Outpatient care centers | 10 |
Psychiatric technicians and aides may need to stand for long periods, and the work can be physically demanding. Some of their tasks are unpleasant, and it can be challenging to care for patients who are disoriented, uncooperative, or violent.
Despite their work’s challenges, however, psychiatric technicians and aides may find it rewarding. For example, their close contact with patients allows technicians and aides to have a positive influence on patients’ outlook and treatment.
Injuries and Illnesses
Psychiatric technicians and aides have some of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. Common injuries may include sprains and strains, such as from lifting and turning patients. Injuries also may result from working with patients who are physically uncooperative.
Psychiatric technicians and aides learn proper lifting techniques to minimize their risk of injury. In addition, these workers receive safety training to help with handling patients who may be a danger to themselves or others.
Work Schedule
Most psychiatric technicians and aides work full time, but part-time work is common. Because hospitals and residential facilities operate 24 hours a day, psychiatric technicians and aides may work nights, weekends, and holidays.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. Compassion. Psychiatric technicians and aides spend much of their time interacting with patients who have mental, emotional, or developmental conditions. They must be caring and understanding of their patients. Interpersonal skills. Psychiatric technicians and aides may want to develop a rapport with patients in order to properly care for them. They also must be able to work well as part of a medical team. Observational skills. Psychiatric technicians and aides must watch patients closely and be sensitive to changes in behavior. For their safety and that of their patients, they must recognize signs of discomfort or trouble among patients. Patience. Working with people who have mental, emotional, or developmental conditions may be challenging. Psychiatric technicians and aides must be able to stay calm in stressful situations. Physical stamina. Psychiatric technicians and aides must lift, move, and sometimes restrain patients. They also spend much of their time standing.
More Information
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about psychiatric technicians and aides by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.