Psychiatric Aide salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Psychiatric Aides in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn a median of $46,280 a year ($22.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,470 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $44,910. Pay here is 3% lower than the California statewide median of $47,500. There are 0.09 psychiatric aides per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.38). The average (mean) salary is $50,770, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for psychiatric aides in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,020 | $17.32 |
| 25th percentile | $40,050 | $19.25 |
| Median | $46,280 | $22.25 |
| 75th percentile | $54,310 | $26.11 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,470 | $37.25 |
| Average (mean) | $50,770 | $24.41 |
Half of psychiatric aides 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 | $3,856.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,928.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,780 |
| Weekly | $890 |
| Hourly | $22.25 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $46,280 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Psychiatric Aide salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $58,550 | 100 |
| Merced, CA | $49,590 | 120 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $48,780 | 310 |
| Fresno, CA | $47,480 | 80 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $47,080 | 260 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $47,050 | 1,450 |
| Redding, CA | $44,700 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for psychiatric aides
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $55,040 |
| Washington | $52,570 |
| Hawaii | $52,310 |
| Maryland | $51,440 |
| Nevada | $51,400 |
| Rhode Island | $51,100 |
| New York | $50,220 |
| Alaska | $49,300 |
| Illinois | $48,670 |
| Oregon | $48,300 |
See Psychiatric Aide pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $35,300 | $16.97 |
| Nursing Assistant | $48,070 | $23.11 |
| Orderly | $49,410 | $23.75 |
| Medical Assistant | $49,420 | $23.76 |
| Dental Assistant | $58,120 | $27.94 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $46,720 | $22.46 |
| Massage Therapist | $45,200 | $21.73 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $57,740 | $27.76 |
| Phlebotomist | $58,170 | $27.97 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $82,160 | $39.50 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $37,850 | $18.20 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $45,420 | $21.84 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $67,830 | $32.61 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $44,810 | $21.54 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-1133. 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 aide make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The median salary for psychiatric aides in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $46,280 a year, or $22.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,470 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid psychiatric aides make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The top 10% of psychiatric aides in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn at least $77,470 a year. The top 25% earn $54,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for psychiatric aides in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,020 a year, and a quarter of psychiatric aides earn $40,050 or less.
How many psychiatric aides work in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
About 130 psychiatric aides are employed in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.