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
$41,590
per year
Job Growth
📉 -0.4%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
5.3
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
$30,920
10th percentile
Early Career
$35,930
25th percentile
Median
$41,590
50th percentile
Experienced
$48,770
75th percentile
Top Earners
$58,530
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$30,920
25th
$35,930
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$41,590
Mean: $43,610
75th
$48,770
90th
$58,530
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $27,610 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $35,930 and $48,770
- •Salary spread is 30.9% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 34,900 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:38,500
Top Industries
Hospitals24.8%
Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Hospitals15.6%
Nursing and Residential Care Facilities12.2%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-0.4%
Annual Openings:5,300
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)38,500
Current
2034 (Projected)38,300
-0.4%
-100
Employment Change
-0.4%
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 41 locations
New York
5,330 jobs$53,2702.47x
California
2,850 jobs$42,9700.70x
Mississippi
2,480 jobs$30,6609.47x
Florida
2,410 jobs$37,1501.08x
New Jersey
2,280 jobs$46,3902.37x
Pennsylvania
1,680 jobs$43,6201.24x
Texas
1,610 jobs$45,7800.51x
Indiana
1,480 jobs$43,2202.05x
Georgia
1,310 jobs$36,0601.19x
Michigan
1,300 jobs$36,8901.30x
Oregon
1,290 jobs$46,6502.91x
Alabama
950 jobs$29,3202.00x
Virginia
880 jobs$36,1700.96x
Massachusetts
750 jobs$51,2500.91x
West Virginia
670 jobs$32,6504.21x
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 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Speaking
100%
#2
Service Orientation
94%
#3
Social Perceptiveness
86%
#4
Monitoring
80%
#5
Active Listening
74%
#6
Critical Thinking
66%
#7
Coordination
60%
#8
Active Learning
54%
#9
Complex Problem Solving
46%
#10
Writing
40%
Skills Overview
Speaking
advanced5.0
100%
Service Orientation
advanced4.7
94%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate4.3
86%
Monitoring
intermediate4.0
80%
Active Listening
intermediate3.7
74%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.3
66%
Coordination
intermediate3.0
60%
Active Learning
basic2.7
54%
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
Service Orientation
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Coordination
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Active Learning
basicImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Writing
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
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
Learn on the Job:
- →Coordination
- →Critical Thinking
- →Active Learning
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Monitoring
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Service Orientation
- ★Social Perceptiveness
- ★Active Listening
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
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