Sources: California Department of Human Resources (CalHR), California State Civil Service Pay Scales — Section 17 Schematic Listing (with Section 16 Schematic Arrangement of Classes); U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.
California state pay plan Sourced
Published rates for each class, lowest first, effective September 14, 2026. These are the ranges California sets for its own state employees; cities, counties and school districts have their own pay plans.
| Class and grade | Published rate |
|---|---|
| Psychiatric Technician Apprentice Class 8229 Grade 8229 Range A | $2,930.00 – $3,596.00 a month $35,160 – $43,152 a year |
Grade 8229 Range B | $2,993.00 – $3,708.00 a month $35,916 – $44,496 a year |
Grade 8229 Range C | $3,102.00 – $3,852.00 a month $37,224 – $46,224 a year |
Grade 8229 Range D | $3,222.00 – $4,168.00 a month $38,664 – $50,016 a year |
Grade 8229 Range E | $3,346.00 – $4,168.00 a month $40,152 – $50,016 a year |
| Psychiatric Technician Trainee (Safety) Class 8238 Grade 8238 | $3,115.00 – $3,871.00 a month $37,380 – $46,452 a year |
| Psychiatric Technician Class 8232 Grade 8232 Range A | $3,960.00 – $5,408.00 a month $47,520 – $64,896 a year |
Grade 8232 Range B | $4,119.00 – $5,787.00 a month $49,428 – $69,444 a year |
Grade 8232 Range C | $4,284.00 – $6,058.00 a month $51,408 – $72,696 a year |
Grade 8232 Range S | $5,843.00 – $6,797.00 a month $70,116 – $81,564 a year |
Grade 8232 Range T | $6,040.00 – $7,203.00 a month $72,480 – $86,436 a year |
Grade 8232 Range U | $6,261.00 – $7,466.00 a month $75,132 – $89,592 a year |
| Psychiatric Technician (Safety) Class 8253 Grade 8253 Range A | $3,960.00 – $5,408.00 a month $47,520 – $64,896 a year |
Grade 8253 Range B | $4,119.00 – $5,787.00 a month $49,428 – $69,444 a year |
Grade 8253 Range C | $4,284.00 – $6,058.00 a month $51,408 – $72,696 a year |
Grade 8253 Range P | $6,134.00 – $7,135.00 a month $73,608 – $85,620 a year |
Grade 8253 Range Q | $6,343.00 – $7,562.00 a month $76,116 – $90,744 a year |
Grade 8253 Range R | $6,577.00 – $7,843.00 a month $78,924 – $94,116 a year |
Grade 8253 Range S | $5,843.00 – $6,797.00 a month $70,116 – $81,564 a year |
Grade 8253 Range T | $6,040.00 – $7,203.00 a month $72,480 – $86,436 a year |
Grade 8253 Range U | $6,261.00 – $7,466.00 a month $75,132 – $89,592 a year |
| Senior Psychiatric Technician Class 8231 Grade 8231 Range A | $4,572.00 – $6,311.00 a month $54,864 – $75,732 a year |
Grade 8231 Range B | $4,783.00 – $6,761.00 a month $57,396 – $81,132 a year |
Grade 8231 Range C | $5,014.00 – $7,087.00 a month $60,168 – $85,044 a year |
Grade 8231 Range S | $6,638.00 – $7,730.00 a month $79,656 – $92,760 a year |
Grade 8231 Range T | $6,927.00 – $8,320.00 a month $83,124 – $99,840 a year |
Grade 8231 Range U | $7,237.00 – $8,733.00 a month $86,844 – $104,796 a year |
| Senior Psychiatric Technician (Safety) Class 8252 Grade 8252 Range A | $4,572.00 – $6,311.00 a month $54,864 – $75,732 a year |
Grade 8252 Range B | $4,783.00 – $6,761.00 a month $57,396 – $81,132 a year |
Grade 8252 Range C | $5,014.00 – $7,087.00 a month $60,168 – $85,044 a year |
Grade 8252 Range P | $6,971.00 – $8,117.00 a month $83,652 – $97,404 a year |
Grade 8252 Range Q | $7,274.00 – $8,733.00 a month $87,288 – $104,796 a year |
Grade 8252 Range R | $7,598.00 – $9,169.00 a month $91,176 – $110,028 a year |
Grade 8252 Range S | $6,638.00 – $7,730.00 a month $79,656 – $92,760 a year |
Grade 8252 Range T | $6,927.00 – $8,320.00 a month $83,124 – $99,840 a year |
Grade 8252 Range U | $7,237.00 – $8,733.00 a month $86,844 – $104,796 a year |
Schedule: Civil Service Pay Scale (Section 17, by schematic code). Rates are as the plan publishes them; "a year" figures are conversions. Classes are matched to this job by title (GovJobsWiki editorial rule).
Source: California Department of Human Resources (CalHR), California State Civil Service Pay Scales — Section 17 Schematic Listing (with Section 16 Schematic Arrangement of Classes). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Pay in California, all employers Sourced
Psychiatric Technicians (SOC 29-2053) in California, all employers combined: BLS state estimates do not separate government from private.
| Measure | CA |
|---|---|
| Workers | 14,100 |
| 10th percentile | $40,880 |
| Median | $49,140 |
| 90th percentile | $88,090 |
| National median, government employers | $50,750 |
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Free practice tests for California
AAPT Nationally Certified Psychiatric Technician (NCPT) - Level 1Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
Source: Open Exam Prep, Open Exam Prep free practice tests. Data captured October 1, 2026. Each link was opened and its exam title checked on the date shown.
More about this job
Requirements, hiring process, training, schedule and day-to-day work are on the national Psychiatric Technician (state hospitals) page.