Psychiatric Aide salary in California
Psychiatric Aides in California earn a median of $47,500 a year ($22.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,760 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,220 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $44,910. California ranks 12th of 39 states for psychiatric aides pay. There are 0.21 psychiatric aides per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $53,670, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for psychiatric aides in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,030 | $18.76 |
| 25th percentile | $45,390 | $21.82 |
| Median | $47,500 | $22.84 |
| 75th percentile | $57,160 | $27.48 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,220 | $37.13 |
| Average (mean) | $53,670 | $25.80 |
Half of psychiatric aides earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,958.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,979.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,826.92 |
| Weekly | $913.46 |
| Hourly | $22.84 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Psychiatric Aide salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $58,550 | 100 |
| Merced, CA | $49,590 | 120 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $48,780 | 310 |
| Fresno, CA | $47,480 | 80 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $47,080 | 260 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $47,050 | 1,450 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $46,280 | 130 |
| Redding, CA | $44,700 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for psychiatric aides
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $55,040 |
| Washington | $52,570 |
| Hawaii | $52,310 |
| Maryland | $51,440 |
| Nevada | $51,400 |
| Rhode Island | $51,100 |
| New York | $50,220 |
| Alaska | $49,300 |
| Illinois | $48,670 |
| Oregon | $48,300 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $34,320 | $16.50 |
| Nursing Assistant | $47,630 | $22.90 |
| Orderly | $49,920 | $24.00 |
| Medical Assistant | $49,660 | $23.88 |
| Dental Assistant | $50,110 | $24.09 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $49,130 | $23.62 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $46,260 | $22.24 |
| Massage Therapist | $45,970 | $22.10 |
| Phlebotomist | $56,040 | $26.94 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $83,110 | $39.96 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $61,370 | $29.50 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $42,200 | $20.29 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $38,330 | $18.43 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $45,050 | $21.66 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-1133. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a psychiatric aide make in California?
The median salary for psychiatric aides in California is $47,500 a year, or $22.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid psychiatric aides make in California?
The top 10% of psychiatric aides in California earn at least $77,220 a year. The top 25% earn $57,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for psychiatric aides in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,030 a year, and a quarter of psychiatric aides earn $45,390 or less.
How many psychiatric aides work in California?
About 3,760 psychiatric aides are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.