Psychiatric Technicians Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $43,710 +2.6% vs national
Median hourly $21.01
10th percentile $37,570
90th percentile $57,760
National median $42,590

Compare Psychiatric Technicians salary & buying power

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Psychiatric Technicians
in
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,570
    25th
    $37,570
    50th (median)
    $43,710
    75th
    $46,980
    90th
    $57,760

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Psychiatric Technicians salary vs area income 40% Median Psychiatric Technicians salary is 60% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Psychiatric Technicians

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Stockton-Lodi, CA $91,910
    Napa, CA $83,960
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $82,440
    Vallejo, CA $82,170
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $81,440
    Visalia, CA $77,340

    Nearby metros — Psychiatric Technicians salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Stockton-Lodi, CA $91,910
    Napa, CA $83,960
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $82,440
    Vallejo, CA $82,170
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $81,440
    Visalia, CA $77,340

    Related occupations in Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $178,900
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $79,580
    Pharmacy Technicians $49,420
    Physicians, All Other $305,610
    Nurse Practitioners $159,090
    Dental Hygienists $127,120

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Psychiatric Technicians make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Psychiatric Technicians in Santa Cruz, CA is $21.01, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $27.77 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Psychiatric Technicians salaries?

    The median Psychiatric Technicians salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 2.6% above the national median of $42,590. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Psychiatric Technicians in Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Psychiatric Technicians (10th percentile) earn around $37,570 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $37,570.