Psychiatric Technician salary in Columbia, SC
Psychiatric Technicians in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $39,980 a year ($19.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 210 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,840 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $45,130. Pay here is 2% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $40,970. There are 0.54 psychiatric technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.53). The average (mean) salary is $43,640, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for psychiatric technicians in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,390 | $17.02 |
| 25th percentile | $39,980 | $19.22 |
| Median | $39,980 | $19.22 |
| 75th percentile | $42,560 | $20.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $67,840 | $32.61 |
| Average (mean) | $43,640 | $20.98 |
Half of psychiatric technicians 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 | $3,331.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,665.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,537.69 |
| Weekly | $768.85 |
| Hourly | $19.22 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Psychiatric Technician salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $45,670 | 150 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $44,110 | 1,590 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $43,590 | 170 |
Highest-paying states for psychiatric technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $67,430 |
| Oregon | $59,820 |
| New York | $58,080 |
| Nebraska | $57,370 |
| Connecticut | $55,500 |
| Hawaii | $55,150 |
| New Jersey | $54,040 |
| Washington | $52,470 |
| Massachusetts | $52,000 |
| Alaska | $51,650 |
See Psychiatric Technician pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $62,110 | $29.86 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $39,170 | $18.83 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $55,280 | $26.58 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $42,290 | $20.33 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $74,080 | $35.62 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $62,650 | $30.12 |
| Paramedic | $53,160 | $25.56 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $44,090 | $21.20 |
| Surgical Technologist | $61,230 | $29.44 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $38,390 | $18.46 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $84,440 | $40.60 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $38,570 | $18.54 |
| Dietetic Technician | $37,500 | $18.03 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $65,590 | $31.54 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2053. 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 technician make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for psychiatric technicians in the Columbia, SC metro area is $39,980 a year, or $19.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid psychiatric technicians make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of psychiatric technicians in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $67,840 a year. The top 25% earn $42,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for psychiatric technicians in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,390 a year, and a quarter of psychiatric technicians earn $39,980 or less.
How many psychiatric technicians work in Columbia, SC?
About 210 psychiatric technicians are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.