Care for individuals with mental or emotional conditions or disabilities, following the instructions of physicians or other health practitioners. Monitor patients' physical and emotional well-being and report to medical staff. May participate in rehabilitation and treatment programs, help with personal hygiene, and administer oral or injectable medications.
Psychiatric Technicians
SOC: 29-2053 O*NET: 29-2053.00
Median Salary
$42,590
per year
Job Growth
🚀 20%
Much Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
15.9
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
Care for individuals with mental or emotional conditions or disabilities, following the instructions of physicians or other health practitioners. Monitor patients' physical and emotional well-being and report to medical staff. May participate in rehabilitation and treatment programs, help with personal hygiene, and administer oral or injectable medications.
What does a Psychiatric Technicians do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$32,980
10th percentile
Early Career
$37,170
25th percentile
Median
$42,590
50th percentile
Experienced
$48,910
75th percentile
Top Earners
$60,150
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$32,980
25th
$37,170
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$42,590
Mean: $45,000
75th
$48,910
90th
$60,150
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $27,170 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $37,170 and $48,910
- •Salary spread is 27.6% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 136,300 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Very High Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:144,500
Top Industries
Ambulatory Health Care Services33.9%
Hospitals23.7%
Offices of Other Health Practitioners22.4%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+20%
Annual Openings:15,900
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)144,500
Current
2034 (Projected)173,300
+20%
+28,900
Employment Change
+20%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Much faster than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Psychiatric Technicians professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 49 locations
Florida
14,080 jobs$39,9301.62x
Texas
11,530 jobs$38,4600.94x
California
8,830 jobs$61,6200.55x
Pennsylvania
7,790 jobs$40,8501.47x
Arizona
7,510 jobs$43,0102.66x
Illinois
6,770 jobs$48,5501.26x
Indiana
6,630 jobs$39,1402.35x
Michigan
5,060 jobs$39,2301.30x
North Carolina
4,940 jobs$39,3601.14x
Missouri
4,650 jobs$43,3001.80x
Wisconsin
4,360 jobs$38,7601.69x
Virginia
4,350 jobs$46,0401.21x
Georgia
3,920 jobs$43,4900.91x
Massachusetts
3,600 jobs$52,2901.12x
Tennessee
3,490 jobs$37,9701.21x
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
- •Much faster than average growth expected
- •High current market demand
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Social Perceptiveness
100%
#2
Monitoring
94%
#3
Active Listening
86%
#4
Speaking
80%
#5
Coordination
74%
#6
Reading Comprehension
66%
#7
Service Orientation
60%
#8
Critical Thinking
54%
#9
Writing
46%
#10
Instructing
40%
Skills Overview
Social Perceptiveness
advanced5.0
100%
Monitoring
advanced4.7
94%
Active Listening
intermediate4.3
86%
Speaking
intermediate4.0
80%
Coordination
intermediate3.7
74%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.3
66%
Service Orientation
intermediate3.0
60%
Critical Thinking
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:
Social Perceptiveness
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Monitoring
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Coordination
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Writing
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Instructing
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Registered Nurses82%
5 shared skills
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School82%
5 shared skills
Freight Forwarders82%
5 shared skills
Counter and Rental Clerks82%
5 shared skills
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks82%
5 shared skills
Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerks82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Service Orientation
- →Reading Comprehension
- →Critical Thinking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Social Perceptiveness
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
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 Technicians
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
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
CONSTANT 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 constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
16
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (5)Planning & Development (4)Training & Development (3)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Operations & Execution (1)Analysis & Evaluation (1)
1
Monitor patients' physical and emotional well-being and report unusual behavior or physical ailments to medical staff.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Provide nursing, psychiatric, or personal care to patients with cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disabilities.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development97% perform98%
3
Observe and influence patients' behavior, communicating and interacting with them and teaching, counseling, or befriending them.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development94% perform96%
4
Take and record measures of patients' physical condition, using devices such as thermometers or blood pressure gauges.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping91% perform94%
5
Encourage patients to develop work skills and to participate in social, recreational, or other therapeutic activities that enhance interpersonal skills or develop social relationships.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development88% perform92%
6
Collaborate with or assist doctors, psychologists, or rehabilitation therapists in working with patients with cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disabilities to treat, rehabilitate, and return patients to the community.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development85% perform90%
7
Develop or teach strategies to promote client wellness and independence.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development82% perform88%
8
Restrain violent, potentially violent, or suicidal patients by verbal or physical means as required.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development79% perform86%
9
Aid patients in performing tasks, such as bathing or keeping beds, clothing, or living areas clean.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Operations & Execution76% perform84%
10
Administer oral medications or hypodermic injections, following physician's prescriptions and hospital procedures.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •44% 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 Technicians
💡 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 Technicians 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 Technicians
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.78
Self-Control
CriticalSelf-Control
Importance Level4.78
Concern for Others
CriticalConcern for Others
Importance Level4.77
Stress Tolerance
CriticalStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.73
Cooperation
CriticalCooperation
Importance Level4.66
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.58
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.8
Self-Control
4.8
Concern for Others
4.8
Stress Tolerance
4.7
Cooperation
4.7
Integrity
4.6
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.5
Initiative
4.5
Attention to Detail
4.4
Independence
4.4
💡 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
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Psychiatric Technicians.
Browse Training Programs →