Psychiatric Technician salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Psychiatric Technicians in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area earn a median of $43,710 a year ($21.01 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $37,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,760 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $45,130. Pay here is 11% lower than the California statewide median of $49,140. The average (mean) salary is $45,840, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for psychiatric technicians in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,570 | $18.06 |
| 25th percentile | $37,570 | $18.06 |
| Median | $43,710 | $21.01 |
| 75th percentile | $46,980 | $22.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,760 | $27.77 |
| Average (mean) | $45,840 | $22.04 |
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 | $3,642.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,821.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,681.15 |
| Weekly | $840.58 |
| Hourly | $21.01 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $43,710 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 Technician salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $95,580 | 330 |
| Napa, CA | $83,960 | 320 |
| Visalia, CA | $76,700 | 200 |
| Vallejo, CA | $76,120 | 260 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $63,510 | 70 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $55,550 | 260 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $54,640 | 1,020 |
| Fresno, CA | $53,680 | 620 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $51,370 | 80 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $48,470 | 1,390 |
| Modesto, CA | $48,390 | 160 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $48,120 | 900 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $48,040 | 4,770 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $47,810 | 910 |
| El Centro, CA | $37,820 | 40 |
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 |
See Psychiatric Technician pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $81,000 | $38.94 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $50,100 | $24.09 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $62,810 | $30.20 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $60,510 | $29.09 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $129,920 | $62.46 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $60,580 | $29.12 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $83,100 | $39.95 |
| Surgical Technologist | $100,130 | $48.14 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $51,970 | $24.98 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $55,950 | $26.90 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $142,150 | $68.34 |
| Paramedic | $71,390 | $34.32 |
| Registered Nurse | $170,960 | $82.19 |
| Dental Hygienist | $130,600 | $62.79 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
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 Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median salary for psychiatric technicians in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area is $43,710 a year, or $21.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid psychiatric technicians make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The top 10% of psychiatric technicians in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area earn at least $57,760 a year. The top 25% earn $46,980 or more.
What is the starting pay for psychiatric technicians in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,570 a year, and a quarter of psychiatric technicians earn $37,570 or less.