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Psychiatric Technicians in Iowa
Considering working as a Psychiatric Technicians in Iowa? Here’s what the data says. 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. May participate in rehabilitation and treatment programs, help with personal hygiene, and administer oral or injectable medications.
What do Psychiatric Technicians Make in Iowa?
For psychiatric technicians working in Iowa, the median annual wage is $39,670 per year (or about $19.07/hour).Pay can range from $32,580 at the 10th percentile to $47,280 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $32,580 | $15.66 |
| 25th percentile | $36,010 | $17.31 |
| Median (50th) | $39,670 | $19.07 |
| 75th percentile | $46,330 | $22.27 |
| 90th percentile | $47,280 | $22.73 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Iowa relative to the national average — is 0.39, meaning fewer psychiatric technicians per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, psychiatric technicians earn a median of $52,472 per year ($25.23/hour), below the Iowa median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 450,959 psychiatric technicians in the U.S.. In Iowa alone, approximately 540 people work in this role. That’s fewer than the typical state, which employs around 1,630 psychiatric technicians.
Top Iowa Metros for Psychiatric Technicians
The metro areas below employ the most psychiatric technicians in Iowa.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | 180 | $37,200 |
| Iowa City, IA | 60 | $45,270 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | 40 | $37,120 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 30 | $39,110 |
Top States for Psychiatric Technicians Employment
The table below shows the states where the most psychiatric technicians work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Florida | 14,080 |
| Texas | 11,530 |
| California | 8,830 |
| Pennsylvania | 7,790 |
| Arizona | 7,510 |
| Illinois | 6,770 |
| Indiana | 6,630 |
| Michigan | 5,060 |
| North Carolina | 4,940 |
| Missouri | 4,650 |
| Wisconsin | 4,360 |
| Virginia | 4,350 |
| Georgia | 3,920 |
| Massachusetts | 3,600 |
| Tennessee | 3,490 |
| Alabama | 2,860 |
| Ohio | 2,590 |
| Minnesota | 2,080 |
| New Jersey | 2,010 |
| Kansas | 1,990 |
Highest-Paying States for Psychiatric Technicians
Where psychiatric technicians earn the most: psychiatric technicians.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $65,060 |
| California | $61,620 |
| New Jersey | $58,000 |
| New York | $57,630 |
| Massachusetts | $52,290 |
| Hawaii | $52,180 |
| Oregon | $51,640 |
| Washington | $51,000 |
| Connecticut | $50,170 |
| Alaska | $49,340 |
Skills
Top psychiatric technicians skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most for psychiatric technicians, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, psychiatric technicians typically:
- 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.
- Observe and influence patients' behavior, communicating and interacting with them and teaching, counseling, or befriending them.
- Aid patients in performing tasks, such as bathing or keeping beds, clothing, or living areas clean.
- Collaborate with or assist doctors, psychologists, or rehabilitation therapists in working with patients with cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disabilities to treat, rehabilitate, and return patients to the community.
- Develop or teach strategies to promote client wellness and independence.
- Train or instruct new employees on procedures to follow with psychiatric patients.
- Escort patients to medical appointments.
Work Activities
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Getting Information
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Developing and Building Teams
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Programs that train for this career include:
Related Careers
Careers similar to psychiatric technicians include:
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
- Mental Health Counselors
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
- Occupational Therapists
- Physical Therapists
- Recreational Therapists
Also Known As
Autism Behavior Technician (Autism Behavior Tech), BHT (Behavioral Health Technician), Behavior Technician (Behavior Tech), Behavioral Health Associate, Behavioral Technician (Behavioral Tech), Counselor, Health Care Technician (Health Care Tech), LPT (Licensed Psychiatric Technician), MHA (Mental Health Assistant), MHW (Mental Health Worker), Mental Health Associate, Mental Health Specialist, Mental Health Technician (MHT), Milieu Therapist, Patient Care Specialist.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 29-2053.00
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