Psychiatric technicians

Psychiatric technicians care for individuals with mental or emotional conditions or disabilities, following the instructions of physicians or other health practitioners. Monitor patients' physical and emotional well-being and report to medical staff. The role reports a median annual salary of $42,590 in the US and is projected to grow 20% over the next decade (much faster than average). Entry typically requires a Postsecondary nondegree award, and shows low AI exposure (0.31 on a 0-1 scale) — the role's core work resists automation. The most in-demand skills for the role include Social Perceptiveness, Active Listening, Monitoring, Speaking, Coordination.

Pay in India (occupation group)

Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Technicians and associate professionals” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only Psychiatric technicians, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.

Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 3. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report

Top skills

Knowledge you'll build

• Psychology
• Therapy and Counseling
• English Language
• Customer and Personal Service
• Medicine and Dentistry
• Education and Training
• Public Safety and Security
• Law and Government

A day in the life

You start your shift on a mental health ward, receiving handover from the night team about who slept badly and who seemed distressed. You check each patient's temperature and blood pressure, help some with washing and dressing, and give personal care to those who need it. Mid-morning you lead a small group activity, like gardening or a craft session, encouraging patients to take part and build daily routines. You watch closely for changes in mood or behaviour and note them for the nurses and doctors. When one patient becomes agitated, you speak calmly, give him space and follow safety procedures to keep everyone safe. After lunch you help run a skills session that prepares patients for life outside hospital. You record observations throughout the day. The work can be emotionally draining and sometimes tense, but helping someone through a crisis toward a calmer, more hopeful state is deeply meaningful.

Illustrative: one typical day, written from the O*NET task statements for this occupation. Real days vary by employer and seniority.

What you'd actually do

• Provide nursing, psychiatric, or personal care to patients with cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disabilities.
• Encourage patients to develop work skills and to participate in social, recreational, or other therapeutic activities that enhance interpersonal skills or develop social relationships.
• Restrain violent, potentially violent, or suicidal patients by verbal or physical means as required.
• Lead prescribed individual or group therapy sessions as part of specific therapeutic procedures.
• Monitor patients' physical and emotional well-being and report unusual behavior or physical ailments to medical staff.
• Take and record measures of patients' physical condition, using devices such as thermometers or blood pressure gauges.

Tools & technology you'd use

Frequently asked questions