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Career overview · SOC 31-1133

Psychiatric Aides

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.

Also called: Developmental Aide · Mental Health Aide (MHA) · Mental Health Worker (MHW) · Psychiatric Aide · Psychiatric Assistant · Psychiatric Nursing Aide

Median pay (national)
$41,590
$30,920–$58,530 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
34,900
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
-0.4%
~5,300 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent

What the numbers say

Refit analysis ·Pay for psychiatric aides shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $58,530 versus $30,920 at the bottom 10% — 1.9x. The median of $41,590 leaves roughly 41% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change -0.4% from 2024 to 2034 — a projected decline, against +3% across all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 5,300 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 39 states with released data, New Hampshire pays the most for this role (median $55,690, +34% vs the national median), while Alabama sits lowest at $29,320 — a 90% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Speaking, Active Listening, Monitoring as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.

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Top skills employers ask for

Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.

  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
  • Monitoring
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Learning
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Writing
  • Learning Strategies
  • Mathematics
  • Science

What they actually do

Core O*NET tasks for this role.

  • Participate in recreational activities with patients, including card games, sports, or television viewing.
  • Listen and provide emotional support and encouragement to psychiatric patients.
  • Provide patients with cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disabilities with routine physical, emotional, psychological, or rehabilitation care under the direction of nursing or medical staff.
  • Complete physical checks and monitor patients to detect unusual or harmful behavior and report observations to professional staff.
  • Organize, supervise, or encourage patient participation in social, educational, or recreational activities.
  • Provide patients with assistance in bathing, dressing, or grooming, demonstrating these skills as necessary.
  • Serve meals or feed patients needing assistance or persuasion.
  • Clean and disinfect rooms and furnishings to maintain a safe and orderly environment.
  • Accompany patients to and from wards for medical or dental treatments, shopping trips, or religious or recreational events.
  • Restrain or aid patients as necessary to prevent injury.

Tools & technology

  • Microsoft Windows
  • Patient management software
  • Email software
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Word

Knowledge areas

  • Psychology
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Therapy and Counseling
  • English Language
  • Administrative
  • Sociology and Anthropology
  • Public Safety and Security
  • Administration and Management