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Psychiatric Technicians in Tennessee
Thinking about a career as a Psychiatric Technicians in Tennessee? 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 Tennessee?
For a psychiatric technicians working in Tennessee, the median annual wage is $37,970 per year (or roughly $18.25/hour).Annual wages span from $28,690 at the 10th percentile to $48,200 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $28,690 | $13.79 |
| 25th percentile | $32,980 | $15.86 |
| Median (50th) | $37,970 | $18.25 |
| 75th percentile | $45,510 | $21.88 |
| 90th percentile | $48,200 | $23.17 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Tennessee relative to the national average — is 1.21, indicating that psychiatric technicians are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, psychiatric technicians earn a median of $52,472 per year ($25.23/hour), below the Tennessee median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 450,959 psychiatric technicians in the U.S.. In Tennessee alone, around 3,490 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 1,630 psychiatric technicians.
Top Tennessee Metros for Psychiatric Technicians
The largest metro-area employers of psychiatric technicians in Tennessee.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | 1,180 | $43,920 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | 790 | $36,790 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | 400 | $34,520 |
| Jackson, TN | 280 | $37,640 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | 150 | $43,450 |
Top States for Psychiatric Technicians Employment
View the states that employ 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
The highest-paying states for 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
Key psychiatric technicians skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Key abilities for psychiatric technicians, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
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?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
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