What is the salary of a Psychiatric Aide?

The typical salary range is $29,112 - $58,225 per year.

Medical & WelfareStable

Psychiatric Aide

Operational-level

Also known as: Behavior Aide, Behavior Assistant, Behavior Intervention Assistant, Behavior Support Assistant

Medical & WelfareBachelor's Degree

Job Description

Assist mentally impaired or emotionally disturbed patients, working under direction of nursing and medical staff. May assist with daily living activities, lead patients in educational and recreational activities, or accompany patients to and from examinations and treatments. May restrain violent patients. Includes psychiatric orderlies.

Psychiatric CareMental HealthPatient CareBehavioral HealthNursing SupportHealthcareHuman ServicesNursingMedical Support

A Day in the Life

You arrive at the psychiatric unit of Metropolitan Hospital in Seattle, clocking in for your 7 AM shift. After changing into your scrubs, you head to the nursing station for the morning report. The outgoing aide quickly briefs you on patient statuses, recent incidents, and any special needs. You grab the daily assignment sheet and a portable two-way radio, scanning patient charts, particularly noting Mr. Henderson's increased agitation overnight. Your day officially begins with a full unit of patients.

Skills employers are looking for in 2027

Software and technologies flagged by O*NET as Hot or In-Demand for this role.

Hot technologies

Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Windows Microsoft Word

Job Outlook 2025-2035

Projected growth

+1.9%

US average: +3.5%

Job openings

4,900

per year (US)

Jobs today

36,900

in 2025 → 37,600 (2035)

Typical entry education

High school diploma or equivalent

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections; O*NET Bright Outlook. Read the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook

Work Environment

How this work is typically performed, based on O*NET work context data.

Email & digital communication

High

Working in a team

High

Contact with others

High

Freedom to make decisions

Moderate

Time pressure

High

Time spent sitting

Moderate

Working outdoors

Moderate

Indoor, climate-controlled

High

Dealing with customers

Moderate

Level of competition

Low

Source: O*NET Work Context (v31.0)

Future Perspective

Stable Job Market

This field maintains steady employment levels with consistent demand. Job opportunities remain available with moderate competition.

Career ladder

Often before this role

Aide-soignant à domicile
Assistant de soins directs
Technicien en santé comportementale (entrée de gamme)

Psychiatric Aide

Where it can lead

Technicien en psychiatrie
Infirmier auxiliaire autorisé (IAA)
Infirmier(ère) diplômé(e) (ID) en santé mentale

Impact of AI on this Job

AI will likely augment the Psychiatric Aide role by automating routine monitoring, data collection, and administrative tasks, providing more detailed insights into patient behavior. This will free up aides to focus more on direct, empathetic patient interaction, crisis intervention, and personalized support, where human connection remains crucial. Consequently, their role will evolve to be more focused on complex care and fostering therapeutic relationships, rather than being replaced.

Salary

$44,910

Median annual wage, BLS 2025

Required Education

Bachelor's Degree

Minimum educational requirement for this position