by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 77 U.S. colleges awarded 2,777 degrees and certificates in Psychiatric/Mental Health Services Technician. Associate degrees are the most popular award, at 35% of graduates. College Factual ranks 43 schools in its 2027 Best Psychiatric/Mental Health Services Technician Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $45,762 one year after completing, rising to $55,481 after four years.
A major in Psychiatric/Mental Health Services Technician explores Psychiatric/mental Health Services Technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals, Under The Supervision Of Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Nurses, And Other Mental Health Care Professionals, To Provide Direct Patient Care Services, Assist In Developing And Implementing Treatment Plans, Administer Medications, And Perform Related Administrative Functions. Includes Instruction In Mental Health Theory, Applied Psychopathology, Patient Communication And Management, Crisis Intervention, Psychotropic Medication, Mental Health Treatment Procedures, Substance Abuse, Record-Keeping, Clinical Administrative Skills, And Applicable Standards And Regulations.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., psychiatric/mental health services technician draws strong interest, with 2,777 degrees awarded annually. 77 colleges award psychiatric/mental health services technician degrees, an average of 36 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 671.
By level, the 2,777 awards include 614 certificates, 969 associate degrees, 880 bachelor’s degrees and 314 master’s degrees.
Women earned 84% of psychiatric/mental health services technician degrees and certificates in the latest year (2,323 of 2,777). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (1,351) and Hispanic or Latino (577), and international students earned 50.
College Factual ranks 43 schools in its 2027 Best Psychiatric/Mental Health Services Technician Schools ranking, including 27 for associate degrees and 4 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks psychiatric/mental health services technician schools within 13 states. In all, 77 colleges offer psychiatric/mental health services technician programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Psychiatric/Mental Health Services Technician Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common psychiatric/mental health services technician credential is the associate degree: 969 of the 2,777 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to psychiatric/mental health services technician call most for Social Perceptiveness, Speaking and Monitoring, and for knowledge of Psychology, Customer and Personal Service and Therapy and Counseling, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Problem Sensitivity.
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How long a psychiatric/mental health services technician degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 614 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 969 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 880 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 314 |
Some college courses is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to psychiatric/mental health services technician, at 43.7%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Some college courses | 43.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 22.6% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 13.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 12.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 7.3% |
| Master’s degree | 0.8% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to Psychiatric/Mental Health Services Technician, with an average median salary of $51,781; the strongest outlook belongs to Psychiatric Technicians, at 12.5% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Psychiatric Assistant, Mental Health Associate, Behavior Aide and Residential Care Tech (Residential Care Technician).
The occupation related to psychiatric/mental health services technician with the most projected jobs is Psychiatric Aides, at 845,589.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Psychiatric Aides | 845,589 | 3.6% |
| Psychiatric Technicians | 507,255 | 12.5% |
Psychiatric/Mental Health Services Technician graduates earn a median $45,762 one year after completing their program, $55,481 after four years and $50,915 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $45,762 |
| 4 years | $55,481 |
| 5 years | $50,915 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to psychiatric/mental health services technician, with a median salary of $52,472.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Psychiatric Technicians | $52,472 |
| Psychiatric Aides | $51,090 |
Psychiatric/Mental Health Services Technician has 12 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 33,339 degrees a year; the largest are Mental Health Counseling/Counselor (12,039), Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling (6,362) and Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling (4,547). Browse all Health Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Mental Health Counseling/Counselor | 12,039 |
| Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling | 6,362 |
| Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling | 4,547 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions, Other | 3,934 |
| Clinical/Medical Social Work | 3,399 |
| Community Health Services/Liaison/Counseling | 2,203 |
| Genetic Counseling/Counselor | 402 |
| Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling | 217 |
| Trauma Counseling | 214 |
| Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy | 10 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
