Psychiatric Technician salary in Pennsylvania
Psychiatric Technicians in Pennsylvania earn a median of $43,930 a year ($21.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 10,340 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,000 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $45,130. Pennsylvania ranks 24th of 49 states for psychiatric technicians pay. There are 1.7 psychiatric technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $44,750, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for psychiatric technicians in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,920 | $17.75 |
| 25th percentile | $39,320 | $18.91 |
| Median | $43,930 | $21.12 |
| 75th percentile | $47,740 | $22.95 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,000 | $25.96 |
| Average (mean) | $44,750 | $21.52 |
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 | $3,660.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,830.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,689.62 |
| Weekly | $844.81 |
| Hourly | $21.12 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Psychiatric Technician salary in cities in Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $46,920 | 4,560 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $45,360 | 980 |
| Altoona, PA | $43,920 | 80 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $43,120 | 120 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $42,590 | 370 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $41,970 | 900 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $41,460 | 1,150 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $39,980 | 60 |
| Williamsport, PA | $39,650 | 50 |
| Erie, PA | $37,860 | 160 |
| Reading, PA | $36,990 | 280 |
| Johnstown, PA | $36,870 | 40 |
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 |
Related jobs in Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $63,940 | $30.74 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $40,040 | $19.25 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $46,720 | $22.46 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $51,680 | $24.85 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $43,310 | $20.82 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $76,050 | $36.56 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $46,840 | $22.52 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $46,430 | $22.32 |
| Paramedic | $61,000 | $29.33 |
| Surgical Technologist | $62,680 | $30.14 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $58,090 | $27.93 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $82,710 | $39.77 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $45,050 | $21.66 |
| Dietetic Technician | $34,090 | $16.39 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for psychiatric technicians in Pennsylvania is $43,930 a year, or $21.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid psychiatric technicians make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of psychiatric technicians in Pennsylvania earn at least $54,000 a year. The top 25% earn $47,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for psychiatric technicians in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,920 a year, and a quarter of psychiatric technicians earn $39,320 or less.
How many psychiatric technicians work in Pennsylvania?
About 10,340 psychiatric technicians are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.