Psychiatric Technicians
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.
Also called: Autism Behavior Technician (Autism Behavior Tech), Behavior Technician (Behavior Tech), Behavioral Health Associate, Behavioral Technician (Behavioral Tech), BHT (Behavioral Health Technician), Counselor
Median pay
$45,130
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$35,090 – $60,750
People employed
156,960
Holland code
SIC
Social · Investigative · Conventional
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 2.Do you want the same hours every week?
- 3.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
- 4.Are you OK working more than 40 hours a week?
- 5.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
- 6.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 7.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
- 8.Are you happy talking and working with people most of the day?
The hard parts
- Dealing with conflict is part of the job
- Long hours on your feet
- May deal with aggressive people
Psychiatric Technicians pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (48 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What psychiatric technicians do
- 01Provide nursing, psychiatric, or personal care to patients with cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disabilities.
- 02Administer oral medications or hypodermic injections, following physician's prescriptions and hospital procedures.
- 03Encourage patients to develop work skills and to participate in social, recreational, or other therapeutic activities that enhance interpersonal skills or develop social relationships.
- 04Restrain violent, potentially violent, or suicidal patients by verbal or physical means as required.
- 05Lead prescribed individual or group therapy sessions as part of specific therapeutic procedures.
- 06Issue medications from dispensary and maintain records in accordance with specified procedures.
Skills that matter most
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
Knowledge
- Psychology
- Therapy and Counseling
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Medicine and Dentistry
Work styles that stand out
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cooperation
- Social Orientation
- Self-Control
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs vocational training or an associate degree (O*NET Job Zone 3).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: over 3 months, up to and including 6 months.
- A certification can help.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from psychiatric technicians
- Occupational Therapy Assistants92% · +60%
- Psychiatric Aides90% · 0%
- Physical Therapist Assistants88% · +52%
- Occupational Therapy Aides88% · −13%
- Recreational Therapists85% · +37%
Change into psychiatric technicians
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Occupational Therapy Aides90% · $39,160
- Psychiatric Aides88% · $44,910
- Speech-Language Pathology Assistants87% · $48,430
- Nursing Assistants82% · $42,260
- Physical Therapist Aides82% · $35,240
Majors that lead here
- Psychiatric/Mental Health Services Technician
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.