Psychiatric aides held about 41,000 jobs in 2021. The largest employers of psychiatric aides were as follows:
| Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals; state, local, and private | 42% |
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 19 |
| Residential mental health and substance abuse facilities | 7 |
Psychiatric technicians held about 98,000 jobs in 2021. The largest employers of psychiatric technicians were as follows:
| Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals; state, local, and private | 32% |
| General medical and surgical hospitals; private | 12 |
| Residential mental health and substance abuse facilities | 9 |
| Outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers | 6 |
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 5 |
Psychiatric technicians and aides may spend much of their shift on their feet. Some of the work that psychiatric aides do may be unpleasant. They may care for patients whose illnesses make them disoriented, uncooperative, or violent.
Injuries and Illnesses
Psychiatric technicians and aides have some of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. Their work requires many physically demanding tasks, such as lifting patients. They also work with patients who may be physically uncooperative, which can cause injuries.
Work Schedule
Psychiatric technicians and aides may work full time or part time. Because hospitals and residential facilities operate 24 hours a day, many psychiatric technicians and aides work nights, weekends, and holidays
Psychiatric technicians typically need a postsecondary certificate, and aides need at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Both technicians and aides get on-the-job training.
Education
Psychiatric technicians typically have a postsecondary certificate. Often, they have experience as a nursing assistant or a licensed practical nurse and have completed postsecondary education in nursing.
Other psychiatric technicians may have a postsecondary certificate or associate’s degree in psychiatric or mental health technology. These programs are offered by community colleges and technical schools and include courses in biology, psychology, and counseling. Psychiatric technician programs may include supervised work experience or cooperative programs, in which students gain academic credit for structured work experience.
Psychiatric aides typically need a high school diploma or equivalent.
Training
Psychiatric technicians and aides usually have a short period of on-the-job training before they can work without direct supervision.
Training may include working with patients while under the close supervision of an experienced technician or aide. Technicians and aides may also attend workshops, lectures, or in-service training.
Work Experience in a Related Occupation
Psychiatric technicians typically need clinical experience, which can be gained by working in occupations such as nursing assistant or licensed practical nurse.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Most states do not require psychiatric technicians to have a license. California is one of the larger states that requires a license. In those states which license them, technicians usually are required to complete an accredited education program, pass an exam, and pay a fee to be licensed.
The American Association of Psychiatric Technicians offers four levels of certification for psychiatric technicians. The certifications allow technicians to show a high level of professional competency. Requirements vary by certification.
Psychiatric aides are not required to be licensed.
Psychiatric technicians typically have an interest in the Building, Helping and Organizing interest areas, according to the Holland Code framework. The Building interest area indicates a focus on working with tools and machines, and making or fixing practical things. The Helping interest area indicates a focus on assisting, serving, counseling, or teaching other people. The Organizing interest area indicates a focus on working with information and processes to keep things arranged in orderly systems.
If you are not sure whether you have a Building or Helping or Organizing interest which might fit with a career as a psychiatric technician, you can take a career test to measure your interests.
Psychiatric technicians should also possess the following specific qualities:
Compassion. Because psychiatric technicians and aides spend much of their time interacting with patients, they should be caring and want to help people.
Interpersonal skills. Psychiatric technicians and aides often provide ongoing care for patients, so they should be able to develop a rapport with patients, making them better able to treat their patients and evaluate their condition.
Observational skills. Technicians must watch patients closely and be sensitive to any changes in behavior. For their safety and that of their patients, they must recognize signs of discomfort or trouble among patients.
Patience. Working with the mentally ill can be emotionally challenging. Psychiatric technicians and aides must be able to stay calm in stressful situations.
Physical stamina. Psychiatric technicians and aides must be able to lift, move, and sometimes restrain patients. They must also be able to spend much of their time on their feet.
The median annual wage for psychiatric aides was $30,260 in May 2021. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $23,120, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $48,140.
The median annual wage for psychiatric technicians was $36,570 in May 2021. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $26,980, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $56,380.
In May 2021, the median annual wages for psychiatric aides in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals; state, local, and private | $37,050 |
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 29,590 |
| Residential mental health and substance abuse facilities | 28,250 |
In May 2021, the median annual wages for psychiatric technicians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | $49,660 |
| General medical and surgical hospitals; private | 36,630 |
| Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals; state, local, and private | 36,030 |
| Outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers | 29,870 |
| Residential mental health and substance abuse facilities | 29,340 |
Psychiatric technicians and aides may work full time or part time. Because hospitals and residential facilities operate 24 hours a day, many psychiatric technicians and aides work nights, weekends, and holidays.
Overall employment of psychiatric technicians and aides is projected to grow 9 percent from 2021 to 2031, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 16,500 openings for psychiatric technicians and aides are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Employment
Projected employment of psychiatric technicians and aides varies by occupation (see table). Cognitive disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, are more likely to occur in older people. As the nation’s population of older people grows, demand is expected to increase for psychiatric technicians and aides who care for patients affected by such disorders.
Psychiatric technicians and aides also will be needed to care for people who have mental health and substance abuse issues.
For more information about psychiatric technicians and aides, visit
American Association of Psychiatric Technicians