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.
Understanding written information and communicating ideas clearly in writing.
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
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 training. PayThe median annual wage for psychiatric aides was $44,910 in May 2025.The median annual wage for psychiatric technicians was $45,130 in May 2025. 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for psychiatric technicians and aides. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of psychiatric technicians and aides with similar occupations. 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.
Your Next Step
Explore shorter-term education and training pathways that may prepare you for this type of work.
Pay
The median annual wage for psychiatric aides was $44,910 in May 2025.The median annual wage for psychiatric technicians was $45,130 in May 2025. 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for psychiatric technicians and aides. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of psychiatric technicians and aides with similar occupations. 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.
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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for psychiatric technicians and aides. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of psychiatric technicians and aides with similar occupations. 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.
What They Do
Psychiatric technicians and aides care for people who have mental conditions or developmental disabilities.
Work Environment
Psychiatric technicians and aides work primarily in healthcare settings, such as psychiatric hospitals and residential mental health facilities. The work may be physically demanding, and technicians and aides risk injury on the job. Most are full time, but part-time work is common; schedules may include nights, weekends, or holidays in facilities that are open 24 hours.
How to Become a Psychiatric Technician or Aide
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 training.
Pay
The median annual wage for psychiatric aides was $44,910 in May 2025.
The median annual wage for psychiatric technicians was $45,130 in May 2025.
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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for psychiatric technicians and aides.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of psychiatric technicians and aides with similar occupations.
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.
Work Environment
Psychiatric technicians and aides work primarily in healthcare settings, such as psychiatric hospitals and residential mental health facilities. The work may be physically demanding, and technicians and aides risk injury on the job. Most are full time, but part-time work is common; schedules may include nights, weekends, or holidays in facilities that are open 24 hours.
How to Become a Psychiatric Technician or Aide
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 training.
Pay
The median annual wage for psychiatric aides was $44,910 in May 2025.
The median annual wage for psychiatric technicians was $45,130 in May 2025.
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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for psychiatric technicians and aides.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of psychiatric technicians and aides with similar occupations.
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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for psychiatric technicians and aides.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of psychiatric technicians and aides with similar occupations.
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.
More Information
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.