California Median
$47,500
per year
Hourly Rate
$22.84
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+6% vs US median
US median $44,910
State Rank
#12 of 39
3,760 employed here
How much does a Psychiatric Aide make in California?
Psychiatric Aides in California take home a median of $47,500 annually — roughly $22.84 an hour — which runs 6% above the national median of $44,910.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $39,030 while the top 10% make $77,220 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $45,390 and $57,160 a year.
Psychiatric Aide salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,030 | $18.76 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $45,390 | $21.82 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $47,500 | $22.84 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $57,160 | $27.48 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,220 | $37.13 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 12th out of 39 states and territories for Psychiatric Aide pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Psychiatric Aide salary in other states
Minnesota $55,040Washington $52,570Hawaii $52,310Maryland $51,440Nevada $51,400Rhode Island $51,100New York $50,220Alaska $49,300Illinois $48,670Oregon $48,300Vermont $47,860Maine $46,720Montana $46,340Colorado $46,130Michigan $45,800New Jersey $45,780Massachusetts $45,300Oklahoma $44,960Indiana $44,860Pennsylvania $44,790Connecticut $44,660Texas $42,560Utah $40,810Missouri $39,840Iowa $39,260Kentucky $38,610Ohio $38,480North Carolina $38,400Kansas $38,390Florida $37,930West Virginia $37,910Virginia $37,280Georgia $36,790South Carolina $36,320Arkansas $36,270Mississippi $30,510Louisiana $30,030Alabama $27,150
Working as a Psychiatric Aide in California
Nationally, about 36,000 people work as Psychiatric Aides in the United States. A certificate or diploma program (usually 6 to 18 months) is the typical entry path.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($47,500) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Psychiatric Aide make in California?
The median Psychiatric Aide salary in California is $47,500 per year, or about $22.84 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $39,030 at the entry level to $77,220 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Psychiatric Aides about 6% more than the national median of $44,910. California ranks 12th out of 39 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Psychiatric Aides?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $47,500 a year. About 3,760 Psychiatric Aides are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Psychiatric Aide salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.