Median Salary
$44,910
per year, national
Hourly Rate
$21.59
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
Top 10% Earn
$60,440
entry level starts ~$32,090
Pay Grade
C
below-average pay · 36,000 employed
How much does a Psychiatric Aide make?
Psychiatric Aides in the United States bring home a median salary of $44,910 a year, or around $21.59 an hour. Pay spans a wide range: the bottom 10% earn under $32,090, while the top 10% earn $60,440.
That is $16,480 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Psychiatric Aide salary range by percentile
Half of all Psychiatric Aides earn between $37,750 and $49,950 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,090 | $15.43 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $37,750 | $18.15 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $44,910 | $21.59 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $49,950 | $24.01 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,440 | $29.06 |
|
Highest-paying states for Psychiatric Aide
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Minnesota leads the country for Psychiatric Aide pay at $55,040 a year, followed by Washington ($52,570) and Hawaii ($52,310). At the other end, Alabama posts the lowest median at $27,150 — a gap of $27,890 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
Psychiatric Aide salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 39 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Minnesota $55,040Washington $52,570Hawaii $52,310Maryland $51,440Nevada $51,400Rhode Island $51,100New York $50,220Alaska $49,300Illinois $48,670Oregon $48,300Vermont $47,860California $47,500Maine $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
Workforce and education
About 36,000 people work as Psychiatric Aides in the United States. On qualifications: a certificate or diploma program (usually 6 to 18 months) is the typical entry path, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Psychiatric Aide make in the United States?
The median Psychiatric Aide salary in the United States is $44,910 per year, or about $21.59 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $32,090, while the top 10% of earners make $60,440 or more.
How does Psychiatric Aide pay compare to other jobs?
With a pay grade of C (below-average pay), the Psychiatric Aide median of $44,910 is below the national median across all occupations tracked in BLS data ($61,390).
Which state pays Psychiatric Aides the most?
Minnesota is the highest-paying state for Psychiatric Aides, with a median salary of $55,040 per year, based on official state-level BLS wage estimates.
How long does it take to become a Psychiatric Aide?
Becoming a Psychiatric Aide typically requires 6 to 18 months of training. A certificate or diploma program (usually 6 to 18 months) is the typical entry path.
How many Psychiatric Aides work in the United States?
About 36,000 people were employed as Psychiatric Aides in the United States in the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates.
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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). Percentiles, employment, and state figures are official BLS estimates; hourly figures assume 2,080 hours/year. Individual pay varies by employer, experience, and location.