Psychiatric Technician salary in South Carolina
Psychiatric Technicians in South Carolina earn a median of $40,970 a year ($19.70 an hour), based on BLS data for 560 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $53,170 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $45,130. South Carolina ranks 30th of 49 states for psychiatric technicians pay. There are 0.24 psychiatric technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.24). The average (mean) salary is $43,880, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for psychiatric technicians in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,390 | $17.02 |
| 25th percentile | $39,980 | $19.22 |
| Median | $40,970 | $19.70 |
| 75th percentile | $46,730 | $22.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $53,170 | $25.56 |
| Average (mean) | $43,880 | $21.10 |
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 | $3,414.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,707.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,575.77 |
| Weekly | $787.88 |
| Hourly | $19.70 |
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 South Carolina
| 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 |
| Columbia, SC | $39,980 | 210 |
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 South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $61,820 | $29.72 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $42,120 | $20.25 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $55,280 | $26.58 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $40,370 | $19.41 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $69,600 | $33.46 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $44,840 | $21.56 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $54,280 | $26.10 |
| Surgical Technologist | $62,160 | $29.89 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $39,020 | $18.76 |
| Paramedic | $53,550 | $25.74 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $40,400 | $19.42 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $83,290 | $40.04 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $59,170 | $28.45 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $48,000 | $23.08 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
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 South Carolina?
The median salary for psychiatric technicians in South Carolina is $40,970 a year, or $19.70 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $53,170 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid psychiatric technicians make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of psychiatric technicians in South Carolina earn at least $53,170 a year. The top 25% earn $46,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for psychiatric technicians in South Carolina?
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 South Carolina?
About 560 psychiatric technicians are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.