Psychiatric Technician salary in Tennessee
Psychiatric Technicians in Tennessee earn a median of $39,800 a year ($19.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,810 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $53,940 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $45,130. Tennessee ranks 39th of 49 states for psychiatric technicians pay. There are 1.2 psychiatric technicians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $42,190, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for psychiatric technicians in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,370 | $15.08 |
| 25th percentile | $35,410 | $17.02 |
| Median | $39,800 | $19.13 |
| 75th percentile | $48,320 | $23.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $53,940 | $25.93 |
| Average (mean) | $42,190 | $20.29 |
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 | $3,316.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,658.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,530.77 |
| Weekly | $765.38 |
| Hourly | $19.13 |
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 Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $44,450 | 1,380 |
| Knoxville, TN | $43,190 | 360 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $58,870 | $28.31 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $41,920 | $20.15 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $62,070 | $29.84 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $64,630 | $31.07 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $48,780 | $23.45 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $40,330 | $19.39 |
| Paramedic | $57,690 | $27.74 |
| Surgical Technologist | $60,530 | $29.10 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $80,640 | $38.77 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $38,890 | $18.70 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $42,810 | $20.58 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $49,840 | $23.96 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist | $78,610 | $37.79 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $49,180 | $23.65 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for psychiatric technicians in Tennessee is $39,800 a year, or $19.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $53,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid psychiatric technicians make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of psychiatric technicians in Tennessee earn at least $53,940 a year. The top 25% earn $48,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for psychiatric technicians in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,370 a year, and a quarter of psychiatric technicians earn $35,410 or less.
How many psychiatric technicians work in Tennessee?
About 3,810 psychiatric technicians are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.