The median annual wage of psychiatric technicians was $28,710 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $18,420, and the top 10 percent earned more than $50,430.
The median annual wage of psychiatric aides was $24,950 in May 2010. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $17,270, and the top 10 percent earned more than $40,070.
Median annual wages in the industries employing the largest numbers of psychiatric technicians in May 2010 were as follows:
| General medical and surgical hospitals; state, local, and private | $30,930 |
| Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals; state, local, and private | 29,500 |
| Outpatient care centers | 23,820 |
| Residential mental retardation, mental health and substance abuse facilities | 23,360 |
Median annual wages in the industries employing the largest numbers of psychiatric aides in May 2010 were as follows:
| Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals; state, local, and private | $28,120 |
| General medical and surgical hospitals; state, local, and private | 26,970 |
| Residential mental retardation, mental health and substance abuse facilities | 22,380 |
| Individual, family, community, and vocational rehabilitation services | 21,390 |
Psychiatric technicians and aides may work full time or part time. Because hospitals and residential facilities are open at all hours, many psychiatric aides work nights, weekends, and holidays.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition