Psychiatric Aide salary in South Carolina
Psychiatric Aides in South Carolina earn a median of $36,320 a year ($17.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 200 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,660 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $44,910. South Carolina ranks 35th of 39 states for psychiatric aides pay. 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 $35,600, close to the median.
Pay range for psychiatric aides in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,320 | $15.54 |
| 25th percentile | $32,470 | $15.61 |
| Median | $36,320 | $17.46 |
| 75th percentile | $37,200 | $17.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,660 | $19.07 |
| Average (mean) | $35,600 | $17.11 |
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 | $3,026.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,513.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,396.92 |
| Weekly | $698.46 |
| Hourly | $17.46 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,320 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Psychiatric Aide salary in cities in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $41,780 | 50 |
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 |
Related jobs in South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $30,110 | $14.48 |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,220 | $17.90 |
| Orderly | $36,480 | $17.54 |
| Medical Assistant | $41,160 | $19.79 |
| Dental Assistant | $47,320 | $22.75 |
| Phlebotomist | $39,010 | $18.76 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $70,500 | $33.90 |
| Massage Therapist | $58,000 | $27.88 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,980 | $17.78 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $42,510 | $20.44 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $49,730 | $23.91 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $73,740 | $35.45 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $33,870 | $16.29 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $33,280 | $16.00 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
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 South Carolina?
The median salary for psychiatric aides in South Carolina is $36,320 a year, or $17.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid psychiatric aides make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of psychiatric aides in South Carolina earn at least $39,660 a year. The top 25% earn $37,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for psychiatric aides in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,320 a year, and a quarter of psychiatric aides earn $32,470 or less.
How many psychiatric aides work in South Carolina?
About 200 psychiatric aides are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.