Psychiatric Technician salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Psychiatric Technicians in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median of $50,840 a year ($24.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,450 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,000 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $45,130. Pay here is 25% lower than the District of Columbia statewide median of $67,430. There are 0.46 psychiatric technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.46). The average (mean) salary is $55,030, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for psychiatric technicians in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,440 | $20.41 |
| 25th percentile | $47,750 | $22.96 |
| Median | $50,840 | $24.44 |
| 75th percentile | $60,190 | $28.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,000 | $37.02 |
| Average (mean) | $55,030 | $26.46 |
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 | $4,236.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,118.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,955.38 |
| Weekly | $977.69 |
| Hourly | $24.44 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $50,840 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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond, VA | $48,320 | 610 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $47,860 | 320 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $47,420 | 1,150 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $46,920 | 4,560 |
| Roanoke, VA | $45,020 | 130 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $43,790 | 40 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $41,650 | 50 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $37,610 | 90 |
| Charleston, WV | $35,150 | 130 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $34,570 | 180 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $29,430 | 90 |
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 District of Columbia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $75,860 | $36.47 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $46,660 | $22.44 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $70,300 | $33.80 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $55,530 | $26.70 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $97,390 | $46.82 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $58,810 | $28.28 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $57,630 | $27.71 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $49,250 | $23.68 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $105,290 | $50.62 |
| Surgical Technologist | $78,750 | $37.86 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $93,030 | $44.73 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $59,520 | $28.62 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $48,050 | $23.10 |
| Paramedic | $75,190 | $36.15 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median salary for psychiatric technicians in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $50,840 a year, or $24.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid psychiatric technicians make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The top 10% of psychiatric technicians in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn at least $77,000 a year. The top 25% earn $60,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for psychiatric technicians in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,440 a year, and a quarter of psychiatric technicians earn $47,750 or less.
How many psychiatric technicians work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
About 1,450 psychiatric technicians are employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.