Psychiatric Technicians Salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
The median pay for a psychiatric technicians in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA is $71,090/year ($34.18/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $45K at the entry level to $84K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.8), so that salary is closer to $65,340 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,124/month — about 67.3% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $71K get you in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
About psychiatric technicians
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Entry-level psychiatric technicians (10th percentile) start around $45K. Mid-career wages sit at $71K.Top earners bring in $84K or more - a $39K 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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do psychiatric technicians make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median is $71,090 a year - that works out to about $34.18 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $44,510, and experienced psychiatric technicians can clear $83,610. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $71K enough to live in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,634/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,124/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 67.4% 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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara has a Regional Price Parity of 108.8 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median psychiatric technicians salary is worth about $65,340 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.