Shigoto Zukan
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How to become psychiatric technicianseducation, training, experience and the steps to enter

United States Healthcare Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay
$45,130
25th–75th pct. $38,430–$50,160
Top pay (est.)
$79,000
Top 10% $60,750
Pay in 5 years
$53,600est.
2031
Pay in 10 years
$63,700est.
$54,700–$73,900
Outlook score
67/100
★★★☆☆ Good
AI replacement risk
22%
Low
Job growth (10 yr)
+22.3%
17K openings / yr

How to become psychiatric technicians

Typical education
Postsecondary nondegree award
BLS
Related experience
Less than 5 years
On-the-job training
Short-term on-the-job training

A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.

Skills, education and requirements for Psychiatric Technicians

Key skills

Social Perceptiveness
4.2
Monitoring
4.0
Active Listening
4.0
Speaking
3.9
Reading Comprehension
3.9
Critical Thinking
3.8
Service Orientation
3.5
Instructing
3.4

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Psychology
5.6
Therapy and Counseling
5.1
Customer and Personal Service
4.1
Education and Training
3.6
Computers and Electronics
3.5
English Language
2.9
Sociology and Anthropology
2.8
Public Safety and Security
2.6

What the work involves

Assisting and Caring for OthersEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersUpdating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Important abilities

Oral ExpressionOral ComprehensionProblem SensitivityDeductive ReasoningInductive ReasoningWritten Expression

Education of workers

High school diploma
20%
Post-secondary certificate
5%
Associate's degree
3%
Master's degree
2%

Training before entry

1–3 months
22%
3–6 months
16%
6–12 months
3%
None / short demo
1%

Related work experience

None
41%
6–12 months
30%
1–2 years
23%
1–3 months
3%
4–6 years
1%

Job Zone 3 — medium preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★☆☆☆ Fairly easy (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Career path and how to earn more as psychiatric technicians

Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data
Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.