Psychiatric Technician salary in Knoxville, TN
Psychiatric Technicians in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $43,190 a year ($20.76 an hour), based on BLS data for 360 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,610 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $45,130. Pay here is 9% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $39,800. There are 0.86 psychiatric technicians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $43,690, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for psychiatric technicians in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,960 | $14.89 |
| 25th percentile | $36,880 | $17.73 |
| Median | $43,190 | $20.76 |
| 75th percentile | $50,010 | $24.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,610 | $26.73 |
| Average (mean) | $43,690 | $21.01 |
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 | $3,599.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,799.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,661.15 |
| Weekly | $830.58 |
| Hourly | $20.76 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $44,450 | 1,380 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $40,390 | 150 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $39,730 | 460 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $39,210 | 670 |
| Jackson, TN | $38,930 | 190 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $37,610 | 90 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $57,960 | $27.86 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $38,270 | $18.40 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $58,650 | $28.20 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $47,660 | $22.91 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $68,890 | $33.12 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $38,330 | $18.43 |
| Surgical Technologist | $54,900 | $26.39 |
| Paramedic | $51,130 | $24.58 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $50,010 | $24.04 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $79,360 | $38.15 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $39,140 | $18.82 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist | $77,080 | $37.06 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $49,050 | $23.58 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $72,100 | $34.66 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
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 Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for psychiatric technicians in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $43,190 a year, or $20.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,610 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid psychiatric technicians make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of psychiatric technicians in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $55,610 a year. The top 25% earn $50,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for psychiatric technicians in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,960 a year, and a quarter of psychiatric technicians earn $36,880 or less.
How many psychiatric technicians work in Knoxville, TN?
About 360 psychiatric technicians are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.