Psychiatric Technician salary in District of Columbia
Psychiatric Technicians in District of Columbia earn a median of $67,430 a year ($32.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 380 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,460 for the top 10%. That is 49% higher than the national median of $45,130. District of Columbia ranks 1st of 49 states for psychiatric technicians pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.54 psychiatric technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.53). The average (mean) salary is $63,160, close to the median.
Pay range for psychiatric technicians in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,440 | $20.41 |
| 25th percentile | $47,880 | $23.02 |
| Median | $67,430 | $32.42 |
| 75th percentile | $78,460 | $37.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,460 | $37.72 |
| Average (mean) | $63,160 | $30.36 |
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 | $5,619.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,809.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,593.46 |
| Weekly | $1,296.73 |
| Hourly | $32.42 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $67,430 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Psychiatric Technician salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $50,840 | 1,450 |
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 District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $55,920 | $26.88 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $47,410 | $22.79 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $75,740 | $36.42 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $76,560 | $36.81 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $102,770 | $49.41 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $46,650 | $22.43 |
| Surgical Technologist | $77,520 | $37.27 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $99,380 | $47.78 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $72,040 | $34.63 |
| Dietetic Technician | $40,810 | $19.62 |
| Orthotists and Prosthetists | $44,080 | $21.19 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $112,020 | $53.86 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist | $128,710 | $61.88 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $61,270 | $29.46 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia?
The median salary for psychiatric technicians in District of Columbia is $67,430 a year, or $32.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid psychiatric technicians make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of psychiatric technicians in District of Columbia earn at least $78,460 a year. The top 25% earn $78,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for psychiatric technicians in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,440 a year, and a quarter of psychiatric technicians earn $47,880 or less.
How many psychiatric technicians work in District of Columbia?
About 380 psychiatric technicians are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.