How much does a psychiatric aide make?
Answer: A typical psychiatric aide in the United States makes $44,910 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 36,000 people work in this job. About the same as the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Psychiatric aide pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $32,090 | $44,910 | $60,440 | about 36,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $55,040 | about 620 |
| New York | $50,220 | about 5,000 |
| Oregon | $48,300 | about 2,000 |
| California | $47,500 | about 4,000 |
| Michigan | $45,800 | about 1,000 |
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, pay can differ with experience, employer, and location; aides who work nights or weekends may earn more. Full-time and part-time schedules also affect total earnings.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a psychiatric aide do?
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's a typical day like?
They watch where patients go and how they are doing, help with meals or dressing, and escort them around the facility. They may change bed linens and join patients in games, sports, or group outings.
How to get this job
In the United States, psychiatric aides usually need a high school diploma or equivalent, not the postsecondary certificate typically expected for psychiatric technicians. They learn through short on-the-job training, sometimes working under an experienced aide or technician.
High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)
Good for people who like helping and teaching and figuring things out.
Did you know?
Psychiatric aides may go on field trips with patients or join them in sports—not just watch over them inside a hospital.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Healthcare Support jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/psychiatric-technicians-and-aides.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/31-1133.00
- www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2023/education-and-training-requirements-for-psychiatric-te
- apps.illinoisworknet.com/cis/clusters/OccupationDetails/100167?parentId=110200&s
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY