Psychiatric Technician salary in Reading, PA
Psychiatric Technicians in the Reading, PA metro area earn a median of $36,990 a year ($17.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,470 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $45,130. Pay here is 16% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $43,930. There are 1.6 psychiatric technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $40,530, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for psychiatric technicians in Reading, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,170 | $16.91 |
| 25th percentile | $35,170 | $16.91 |
| Median | $36,990 | $17.78 |
| 75th percentile | $44,800 | $21.54 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,470 | $22.82 |
| Average (mean) | $40,530 | $19.48 |
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 | $3,082.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,541.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,422.69 |
| Weekly | $711.35 |
| Hourly | $17.78 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
See Psychiatric Technician pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Reading, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $64,950 | $31.23 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $36,860 | $17.72 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $44,100 | $21.20 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $46,170 | $22.20 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $46,990 | $22.59 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $73,010 | $35.10 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $45,670 | $21.96 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $45,570 | $21.91 |
| Paramedic | $60,050 | $28.87 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $43,810 | $21.06 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $86,740 | $41.70 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $79,280 | $38.12 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $42,470 | $20.42 |
| Dietetic Technician | $34,090 | $16.39 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Reading, PA
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 Reading, PA?
The median salary for psychiatric technicians in the Reading, PA metro area is $36,990 a year, or $17.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,470 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid psychiatric technicians make in Reading, PA?
The top 10% of psychiatric technicians in the Reading, PA metro area earn at least $47,470 a year. The top 25% earn $44,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for psychiatric technicians in Reading, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,170 a year, and a quarter of psychiatric technicians earn $35,170 or less.
How many psychiatric technicians work in Reading, PA?
About 280 psychiatric technicians are employed in the Reading, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.