Psychiatric Technicians Salary in California
The median pay for a psychiatric technicians in California is $61,620/year ($29.63/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $41K at the entry level to $92K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $62K get you in California?
About psychiatric technicians
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level psychiatric technicians (10th percentile) start around $41K. Mid-career wages sit at $62K.Top earners bring in $92K or more - a $51K spread from bottom to top.
Psychiatric Technicians pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $65K | +53% | 450 |
| California | $62K | +45% | 8,830 |
| New Jersey | $58K | +36% | 2,010 |
| New York | $58K | +35% | 1,770 |
| Massachusetts | $52K | +23% | 3,600 |
| Hawaii | $52K | +23% | 1,630 |
| Oregon | $52K | +21% | 1,620 |
| Washington | $51K | +20% | 1,410 |
| Connecticut | $50K | +18% | 1,280 |
| Alaska | $49K | +16% | 330 |
| Nebraska | $49K | +14% | 810 |
| Minnesota | $49K | +14% | 2,080 |
| Illinois | $49K | +14% | 6,770 |
| Rhode Island | $49K | +14% | 710 |
| New Hampshire | $48K | +14% | 150 |
Track psychiatric technicians salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do psychiatric technicians make in California?
The median is $61,620 a year - that works out to about $29.63 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $41,160, and experienced psychiatric technicians can clear $91,910. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $62K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,127/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $2,201/month (median of metro areas), which eats 53.3% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a psychiatric technicians salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median psychiatric technicians salary is worth about $61,620 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do psychiatric technicians get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.