Psychiatric Technicians
SOC 29-2053 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Psychiatric Technicians is $39,700, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $43,650, and an estimated 115,940 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +13.3% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of -3.7% (pay did not keep up with inflation). BLS projects employment will grow 20% between 2024 and 2034.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Psychiatric Technicians has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $39,700 | $39,700 | 115,940 |
| 2022 | $37,380 | $38,919 | 100,950 |
| 2021 | $36,570 | $41,122 | 93,410 |
| 2020 | $35,030 | $41,241 | 85,330 |
Nominal change
+13.3%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
-3.7%
Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)
The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).
Projected Growth
+20%
Much faster than average
Employment 2024
144,500
Projected 2034
173,300
Annual Openings
15,900
Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Psychiatric Technicians earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $39,700. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $77,580 | +95.4% | 70 |
| California | $65,200 | +64.2% | 9,650 |
| Western Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area | $62,520 | +57.5% | 230 |
| North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $61,680 | +55.4% | 40 |
| North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $60,960 | +53.6% | 50 |
| District of Columbia | $60,530 | +52.5% | 460 |
| New Jersey | $56,040 | +41.2% | 1,060 |
| New York | $52,310 | +31.8% | 2,380 |
| Nebraska | $52,000 | +31% | 1,070 |
| Hawaii | $50,560 | +27.4% | 1,660 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$31,150
25th Pct
$35,730
Median
$39,700
75th Pct
$47,960
90th Pct
$59,990
H-1B Employer Filings
Employer-certified wages from DOL H-1B LCA filings — competitive market benchmark, not approved visas.
| Employer | State | Filings | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anthony Tucci PHD PLLC | IL | 1 | $43,680 |
Source: DOL Office of Foreign Labor Certification, H-1B LCA data.
Related Occupations in Healthcare Practitioners & Technical
Other occupations in the same SOC major group, ranked by national median wage.
All Healthcare Practitioners & Technical occupations →