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Salary comparison

Psychiatric Technicians vs. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses: Who Earns More?

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses out-earn Psychiatric Technicians by $19K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Psychiatric Technicians land at $45,130 and Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses at $64,400. The education gap is real: psychiatric technician programs typically require bachelor's degree, while licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse programs require postsecondary nondegree award. Top-paying state for Psychiatric Technicians is District of Columbia ($67,430); for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses it's Washington ($83,150).

Psychiatric Technicians
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
Median salary
$45,130
$64,400
Hourly rate
$21.7/hr
$30.96/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$35,090
$49,740
Senior level (90th %)
$60,750
$83,440
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Postsecondary nondegree award
U.S. employment
156,960
648,410
Job growth (10-year)
20%
2.6%
Category
Healthcare
Healthcare
Top-paying state
District of Columbia
Washington

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Psychiatric Technicians median pay.

State
Psychiatric Technicians
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
District of Columbia
$67,430
$75,740
Oregon
$59,820
$80,470
Connecticut
$55,500
$73,690
New Jersey
$54,040
$75,160
Washington
$52,470
$83,150
Massachusetts
$52,000
$80,220
Alaska
$51,650
$80,800
California
$49,140
$79,750
Rhode Island
$48,520
$80,090
Colorado
$47,430
$73,880
Nevada
$46,450
$76,160
Illinois
$46,200
$75,000
Arizona
$45,640
$77,070
Maryland
$45,520
$74,660
New Hampshire
$44,660
$77,110

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Psychiatric Technicians or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses earn more nationally. The median is $45,130 for Psychiatric Technicians versus $64,400 for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses, a difference of $19K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Psychiatric Technicians or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?

Psychiatric Technicians has the better 10-year outlook at 20% projected growth, compared to 2.6% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Psychiatric Technicians or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?

Psychiatric Technicians typically requires bachelor's degree. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses requires postsecondary nondegree award. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Psychiatric Technicians get paid the most?

District of Columbia is the top-paying state for Psychiatric Technicians at $67,430/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Psychiatric Technicians vs. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In District of Columbia, Psychiatric Technicians earn $67,430 vs. $75,740 for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Psychiatric Technicians salary breakdownView →Full Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary breakdownView →Best cities for Psychiatric Technicians by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses by take-home payExplore →How to become a psychiatric techniciansGuide →How to become a licensed practical and licensed vocational nursesGuide →