Psychiatric Technician salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Psychiatric Technicians in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $39,750 a year ($19.11 an hour), based on BLS data for 300 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,310 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $45,130. Pay here is 7% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $42,910. There are 0.73 psychiatric technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.73). The average (mean) salary is $41,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for psychiatric technicians in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,760 | $17.19 |
| 25th percentile | $37,590 | $18.07 |
| Median | $39,750 | $19.11 |
| 75th percentile | $44,440 | $21.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,310 | $22.26 |
| Average (mean) | $41,000 | $19.71 |
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 | $3,312.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,656.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,528.85 |
| Weekly | $764.42 |
| Hourly | $19.11 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $48,310 | 720 |
| Iowa City, IA | $45,210 | 60 |
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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | $46,620 | $22.41 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $63,670 | $30.61 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $50,240 | $24.16 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $67,640 | $32.52 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $49,960 | $24.02 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $54,270 | $26.09 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $42,470 | $20.42 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $46,080 | $22.16 |
| Surgical Technologist | $62,250 | $29.93 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $47,780 | $22.97 |
| Paramedic | $61,980 | $29.80 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $87,080 | $41.87 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $48,570 | $23.35 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $78,850 | $37.91 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for psychiatric technicians in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $39,750 a year, or $19.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid psychiatric technicians make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of psychiatric technicians in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $46,310 a year. The top 25% earn $44,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for psychiatric technicians in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,760 a year, and a quarter of psychiatric technicians earn $37,590 or less.
How many psychiatric technicians work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 300 psychiatric technicians are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.