Assist mentally impaired or emotionally disturbed patients, working under direction of nursing and medical staff. May assist with daily living activities, lead patients in educational and recreational activities, or accompany patients to and from examinations and treatments. May restrain violent patients. Includes psychiatric orderlies.
Psychiatric Aides
SOC: 31-1133 O*NET: 31-1133.00
Median Salary
$44,910
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 1.9%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
4.9
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Assist mentally impaired or emotionally disturbed patients, working under direction of nursing and medical staff. May assist with daily living activities, lead patients in educational and recreational activities, or accompany patients to and from examinations and treatments. May restrain violent patients. Includes psychiatric orderlies.
What does a Psychiatric Aides do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$32,090
10th percentile
Early Career
$37,750
25th percentile
Median
$44,910
50th percentile
Experienced
$49,950
75th percentile
Top Earners
$60,440
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$32,090
25th
$37,750
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$44,910
Mean: $45,690
75th
$49,950
90th
$60,440
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $28,350 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $37,750 and $49,950
- •Salary spread is 27.2% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 35,520 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:36,900
Top Industries
Hospitals23.7%
Nursing and Residential Care Facilities14.1%
Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Hospitals13.9%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+1.9%
Annual Openings:4,900
Employment Projections
2025 (Current)36,900
Current
2035 (Projected)37,600
+1.9%
+700
Employment Change
+1.9%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Psychiatric Aides professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 39 locations
New York
5,120 jobs$50,2202.31x
California
3,760 jobs$47,5000.90x
Mississippi
2,490 jobs$30,5109.37x
Florida
2,210 jobs$37,9300.98x
New Jersey
2,060 jobs$45,7802.11x
Indiana
1,930 jobs$44,8602.64x
Texas
1,760 jobs$42,5600.55x
Pennsylvania
1,620 jobs$44,7901.17x
Oregon
1,550 jobs$48,3003.45x
Michigan
1,410 jobs$45,8001.41x
Georgia
1,090 jobs$36,7900.98x
Ohio
980 jobs$38,4800.77x
Massachusetts
950 jobs$45,3001.15x
Alabama
790 jobs$27,1501.63x
Minnesota
620 jobs$55,0400.92x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025
Key Growth Factors
Standard growth expectations for this occupation
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Speaking
100%
#2
Psychology
100%
#3
Oral Expression
100%
#4
Service Orientation
94%
#5
Oral Comprehension
92%
#6
Social Perceptiveness
86%
#7
Problem Sensitivity
82%
#8
Monitoring
80%
#9
Customer and Personal Service
80%
#10
Active Listening
74%
Skills Overview
Speaking
advanced5.0
100%
Psychology
advanced5.0
100%
Oral Expression
advanced5.0
100%
Service Orientation
advanced4.7
94%
Oral Comprehension
advanced4.6
92%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate4.3
86%
Problem Sensitivity
intermediate4.1
82%
Monitoring
intermediate4.0
80%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Speaking
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Psychology
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Oral Expression
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Service Orientation
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Oral Comprehension
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Problem Sensitivity
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Customer and Personal Service
intermediateImportance80%
knowledge
4.0/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Written Comprehension
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Firefighters82%
5 shared skills
Healthcare Social Workers82%
5 shared skills
Medical Assistants82%
5 shared skills
Nurse Midwives82%
5 shared skills
Occupational Therapy Aides82%
5 shared skills
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Psychology
Learn on the Job:
- →Coordination
- →Therapy and Counseling
- →Critical Thinking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Psychology
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Service Orientation
- ★Social Perceptiveness
- ★Psychology
- ★Customer and Personal Service
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Psychiatric Aides
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
17
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Planning & Development (2)General Responsibilities (8)Management & Supervision (1)Operations & Execution (1)Training & Development (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (4)
1
Provide patients with cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disabilities with routine physical, emotional, psychological, or rehabilitation care under the direction of nursing or medical staff.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development100% perform100%
2
Work as part of a team that may include psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, or social workers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Aid patients in becoming accustomed to hospital routines.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Organize, supervise, or encourage patient participation in social, educational, or recreational activities.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision91% perform94%
5
Perform nursing duties, such as administering medications, measuring vital signs, collecting specimens, or drawing blood samples.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution88% perform92%
6
Serve meals or feed patients needing assistance or persuasion.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Restrain or aid patients as necessary to prevent injury.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development82% perform88%
8
Interview patients upon admission and record information.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping79% perform86%
9
Provide patients with assistance in bathing, dressing, or grooming, demonstrating these skills as necessary.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Participate in recreational activities with patients, including card games, sports, or television viewing.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on planning & development activities
- •41% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Psychiatric Aides
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Psychiatric Aides professionals typically have a SIC Holland code and highly value relationships
SSocial
IInvestigative
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Psychiatric Aides
Concern for Others
Very ImportantConcern for Others
Importance Level4.28
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.19
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.17
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.01
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.00
Social Orientation
ImportantSocial Orientation
Importance Level3.96
Complete Work Styles Profile
Concern for Others
4.3
Stress Tolerance
4.2
Self-Control
4.2
Dependability
4.0
Cooperation
4.0
Social Orientation
4.0
Integrity
3.9
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.9
Attention to Detail
3.8
Persistence
3.8
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Psychiatric Aides.
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