How Much Does a Psych Tech Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$45,130
Psych techs in the U.S. earn a median of $45,130 a year, or $21.70 an hour. Half of psych techs earn more than $45,130 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $60,750.
Pay percentiles for psych techs
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $16.87 | $35,090 |
| 25th | $18.48 | $38,430 |
| 50th (median) | $21.70 | $45,130 |
| 75th | $24.12 | $50,160 |
| 90th | $29.21 | $60,750 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Psychiatric Technicians (SOC 29-2053). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for psych techs
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $67,430 | $32.42 | +49% |
| Oregon | $59,820 | $28.76 | +33% |
| New York | $58,080 | $27.92 | +29% |
| Nebraska | $57,370 | $27.58 | +27% |
| Connecticut | $55,500 | $26.68 | +23% |
| Hawaii | $55,150 | $26.51 | +22% |
| New Jersey | $54,040 | $25.98 | +20% |
| Washington | $52,470 | $25.23 | +16% |
| Massachusetts | $52,000 | $25.00 | +15% |
| Alaska | $51,650 | $24.83 | +14% |
| United States | $45,130 | $21.70 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many psych techs are there?
BLS counts about 156,960 psych techs employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Psychiatric Technicians”. The most jobs are in California (14,100), Florida (12,710) and Texas (11,350).
The mean (average) annual wage is $46,610, higher than the median of $45,130.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $3,761
- Biweekly
- $1,736
- Weekly
- $868
- Daily (8 hours)
- $174
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do psych techs make an hour?
The median hourly wage for psych techs is $21.70. The middle 50% earn between $18.48 and $24.12 an hour.
Which state pays psych techs the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage for psych techs at $67,430, +49% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for psych techs?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of psych techs earn less than $35,090 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.