Psychiatric Technician
Care for patients with mental illness and developmental disabilities.
- $45,130
- 1 year or less
Healthcare career
Psychiatric Aide
Also called: Mental Health Aide · Behavioral Health Aide · Psych Aide · Mental Health Worker
What psychiatric aides do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a psychiatric aide do?
Psychiatric aides help patients with mental illness or developmental disabilities with daily living, safety and activities in hospitals and treatment facilities. The median pay is $44,910 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 1–4 weeks, and employment is projected to grow +1.9% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$44,910$21.59/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+1.9%2025–35, slower than average
- Openings per year4,900Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to train1–4 weeksTypical program length
- U.S. jobs36,900Employment, 2025
What psychiatric aides do
Psychiatric aides support patients in mental health settings. They help with meals and hygiene, supervise patients for safety, lead or join activities, observe and report behavior, help calm agitated patients and keep units clean and orderly. They work closely with nurses and psychiatric technicians.
Most psychiatric aides have a high school diploma and learn on the job with de-escalation training.
Typical duties
- Help patients with daily activities
- Supervise patients for safety
- Observe and report behavior
- Help with activities
- Assist during crises
- Keep units clean
- Escort patients
Work environment and schedule
Aides work in psychiatric hospitals, residential treatment centers and state facilities.
Schedule: Facilities run 24/7, so shifts include nights and weekends.
A day in the life
- Take report and do safety rounds.
- Help with breakfast and hygiene.
- Supervise a group activity.
- Escort a patient to an appointment.
See a full day in the life of a psychiatric aide →
Psychiatric Aide salary
Half of psychiatric aides earned more than $44,910 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $32,090 for the lowest 10% to $60,440 for the top 10%.
Full psychiatric aide pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a psychiatric aide
- Apply to facilities
- Complete training
- Learn routines
- Build skills
- Advance
A high school diploma is typical, plus short on-the-job training.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a psychiatric aide →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Observation
- De-escalation
- Personal care
- Safety rounds
- Documentation
People skills
- Patience
- Calmness
- Empathy
- Boundaries
All psychiatric aide skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Quick entry
- Meaningful support work
- Path to nursing or counseling
- Team environment
Cons
- Risk of aggression
- Emotional strain
- Shift work
- Modest pay
Certifications and licenses
- CPI de-escalation training: Crisis prevention.
- CPR and first aid: Emergency care.
- Mental Health First Aid: Awareness.
- CNA: Optional path.
Career path
- Psychiatric Aide: Support patients.
- Psychiatric Technician: More training.
- LPN or RN: Nursing roles.
- Counselor: With education.
Learn the job before day one
Our Psychiatric Aide training (8 hours, $74.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as do safety rounds and calm an agitated patient, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Certified Nursing Assistant
Provide hands-on daily care to patients and residents under nurse supervision.
- $42,260
- 4–12 weeks
Orderly
Move patients and equipment and help keep hospital units running.
- $38,290
- 1–4 weeks
Residential Advisor
Support people living in group homes, shelters and residence halls.
- $42,240
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Compare: Psychiatric Aide vs. Psych Tech · Psychiatric Aide vs. CNA · Psychiatric Aide vs. Orderly · Psychiatric Aide vs. Residential Advisor
Psychiatric Aide FAQ
Do psychiatric aides need a degree?
No, a high school diploma is typical.
What’s the difference from a psychiatric technician?
Techs have more training and can do more clinical tasks.
Is the job dangerous?
Aggression is a risk, managed with training and teamwork.
How much does a psychiatric aide make?
The median annual wage for psychiatric aides was $44,910 ($21.59 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $32,090 and the highest 10% earned more than $60,440.
How long does it take to become a psychiatric aide?
Most people need about 1–4 weeks of training. A high school diploma is typical, plus short on-the-job training.
Do you need a degree to be a psychiatric aide?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.
More psychiatric aide questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 31-1133 (Psychiatric aides).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Psychiatric aides (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.