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Job outlook for mental health technician leads in the United States
Mental health technician lead job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected mental health technician lead job growth rate is 9% from 2018-2028.
About 64,000 new jobs for mental health technician leads are projected over the next decade.
Mental health technician lead salaries have increased 14% for mental health technician leads in the last 5 years.
There are over 27,678 mental health technician leads currently employed in the United States.
There are 127,535 active mental health technician lead job openings in the US.
The average mental health technician lead salary is $41,525.
Are mental health technician lead jobs in demand?
Mental health technician lead job and salary trends over time
Mental health technician lead jobs over time
Mental health technician lead job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 27,678 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 26,253 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 24,927 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 23,399 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 22,138 | 0.01% |
Average mental health technician lead salary over time
Mental health technician lead salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $41,525 | $19.96 | +4.4% |
| 2025 | $39,761 | $19.12 | +4.0% |
| 2024 | $38,218 | $18.37 | +3.7% |
| 2023 | $36,863 | $17.72 | +1.3% |
| 2022 | $36,394 | $17.50 | +1.3% |
Mental health technician lead jobs by state
Most common states for mental health technician leads
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | 739,795 | 268 | 36% |
| 2 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 491 | 29% |
| 3 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 542 | 28% |
| 4 | Vermont | 623,657 | 172 | 28% |
| 5 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 231 | 27% |
| 6 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 2,579 | 26% |
| 7 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 723 | 25% |
| 8 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,357 | 24% |
| 9 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 725 | 24% |
| 10 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 163 | 23% |
| 11 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 872 | 22% |
| 12 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 224 | 21% |
| 13 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,321 | 20% |
| 14 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 625 | 20% |
| 15 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,954 | 19% |
| 16 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 584 | 19% |
| 17 | Delaware | 961,939 | 183 | 19% |
| 18 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,839 | 18% |
| 19 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 1,080 | 18% |
| 20 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 224 | 17% |
Most common cities for mental health technician leads
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Detroit | 2 | 0% | $41,949 |
| 2 | Los Angeles | 2 | 0% | $60,985 |
| 3 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $38,152 |
Mental Health Technician Lead job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of mental health technician lead experts
Saint Xavier University
Western Illinois University
Louisiana State University at Shreveport
Penn State Erie, The Behrend College
Bay Path University
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Neumann University
University of Baltimore
Montana State University
Bethel University
Lancaster Bible College
University of Lynchburg
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Thresholds
California State University - Fresno
The University of Findlay
Idaho State University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Lynn University
Elms College
What Mental Health Technician Lead skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kristen Toole: This is an exciting time to be a counselor. It is a time for integration and inclusivity. With an
increasing focus on neuroscience and the advent of telehealth, incorporating science and
technology in counseling is increasingly relevant.
The use of technology is on the rise. As more people become familiar with telehealth, counselors
must become comfortable providing virtual care. Telehealth practices are also critical to
expanding our reach and improving the accessibility of our services.
Undeniable links between science and counseling continue to emerge. Findings in neuroscience
are shaping how we understand counseling and informing best practices (Cammisuli &
Castelnuovo, 2023). Furthermore, this supports incorporating knowledge and skills from other
disciplines to broaden the counseling field's horizons.
Mastering essential attending behaviors and the basic listening sequence (Ivey et al., 2018) is not
enough if we cannot successfully and accurately position our clients against a backdrop of broad
and complex contextual factors. Embracing diverse perspectives is crucial to supporting holistic
counseling practices. Integrating new information will be the key to achieving a more complete
and inclusive understanding of our clients and our work as we move forward.
What will help Mental Health Technician Leads increase their earning potential?
Emily Yowell Ph.D.: Psychologists should be aware of what others in their field are making for similar positions. It is important to ask for what your work is worth in an initial position to assure raises are based on a solid starting salary. Newer psychologists may also consider asking for an early review that prompts an early conversation around potential raises, bonus, or other job benefits.
Leigh Ann Tipton-Fisler, PhD, BCBA
Associate Professor and Program Coordinator of Specialist in School Psychology and Clinical/ Community Mental Health Graduate ProgramsWestern Illinois University
Clinical, Counseling And Applied Psychology
What general advice would you give to a Mental Health Technician Lead?
Leigh Ann Tipton-Fisler, PhD, BCBA: - The best I can give to graduates is to focus on taking small steps at first. Often the first year in the field can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time. The system we work in (the helping profession broadly) often has a lot of challenges, and new professionals want to re-envision a path for changes. This is tangible, but at first, it is important to understand the roles and functions in the workplace before flipping everything upside down. I suggest taking one small change at a time in an area that is important to you and build relationships and trust with your professional colleagues before overloading yourself with the new job and new goals.
Kacie Blalock Ph.D.
Associate Professor; Director, Master of CounselingLouisiana State University at Shreveport
Department Of Psychology
What hard/technical skills are most important for Mental Health Technician Leads?
Kacie Blalock Ph.D.: It is important that counselors are able to effectively take notes and summarize progress, interpret assessments, memorize and recall information, and keep clear yet concise records.
Dr. Christopher Shelton Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology, Director, Virtual/Augmented Reality Lab (VAR Lab)Penn State Erie, The Behrend College
School of Humanities & Social Sciences
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Mental Health Technician Leads?
Dr. Christopher Shelton Ph.D.: Within the mental health field, having specialized psychological training, in addition to a broad set of fundamental psychological skills, can help graduates stand out when on the job market. Future psychology graduates interested in mental health careers should prepare along their academic journey to partake in trainings and seek out certifications that align with their post-academic goals.
For those with a psychology degree at the undergraduate level, licensure is not always a requirement for jobs within the mental health field (e.g., case manager, mental health technician, social work assistant, health educator). That said, having additional certifications you can attain through specific academic training (e.g., Behavioral Health and Counseling Psychology Certificate or Child Development Certificate) or additional trainings outside of academia, focused on specialized mental health initiatives (e.g., Mental Health First Aid, Mental Health Facilitator training) can have a positive impact on job prospects. Moreover, those with a psychology undergraduate degree may wish to consider pursuing graduate training. Attaining a master or doctoral level graduate degree in any of the many mental health domains (e.g., clinical psychology, counseling psychology, school counseling) can have a significant impact on factors such as starting salary, lifetime earning potential, range of potential jobs one is suited for, and overall career advancement.
For those with a psychology degree at the graduate level, licensure is a fundamental part of most mental health professions (e.g., psychologists, counselors, social workers, school counselors) and will certainly impact job prospects. Many places will help to provide those seeking licensure with the post-educational supervised training hours required by their specific state licensing board. That being said, once you have the required training, you should plan to sit for and complete the state licensure exam, as soon as possible. Being licensed is often seen as a benefit by employers seeking to hire mental health professionals. Moreover, one typically has greater flexibility in their work once licensed (e.g., opening their own private practice, joining an integrated health unit at a medical center).
In addition to seeking state licensure, individuals with graduate level degrees should also consider seeking additional board certification (e.g., American Board of Professional Psychology, National Board for Certified Counselors). Board certification signifies one has expertise in a specific area and can help to differentiate an individual from other practitioners.
What will help Mental Health Technician Leads increase their earning potential?
Dr. Christopher Shelton Ph.D.: There are several methods that are particularly effective in significantly increasing earning potential. First, seeking additional post-baccalaureate training at either the master or doctoral level. Second, completing trainings with various organizations that result in certificates denoting a specialty in a particular area. Third, working towards and gaining national board certification. Lastly, gaining experience in developing or providing remote mental health services. The pandemic has created a significant shift in the mode of service delivery for those seeking to address their mental health needs. Due to factors such as social distancing requirements, many mental health services during the pandemic have shifted to a virtual, online modality. It is likely that demand for virtual treatments will remain elevated, even post-pandemic. Thus, graduates who have familiarity and expertise in providing telehealth will be better equipped to differentiate themselves from other mental health practitioners.
Suzanne Gile
Adjunct professorBay Path University
Clinical mental health counseling, developmental psychology
What soft skills should all Mental Health Technician Leads possess?
Suzanne Gile: Graduates will need to be flexible as they enter the workforce. Many have had fully remote internships and will need to adjust to the field as things start to open back up to in-person sessions. Graduates will need to be able to advocate for themselves to get the needed support in areas they may have missed training opportunities in during their internships. Lastly, graduates will need to have a good grasp of technology to manage online platforms.
Timothy Hanna Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorNeumann University
Pastoral Clinical Mental Health Counseling
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Mental Health Technician Lead job market given the pandemic?
Timothy Hanna Ph.D.: At the same time that COVID has placed strains on the economy, it has also led to an increased need for psycho-spiritual support as individuals strive to cope with the multi-faceted impact of this pandemic. As such, the current need for professionals equipped to address mental and spiritual health has risen in the past many months, and likely will continue to rise as people continue to make sense of and come to terms with ongoing and new challenges. In addition, the need for switching to "telehealth" modalities for providing these services has increased both their popularity and familiarity for professionals and lay folk alike. This has enhanced access in ways that may persist for years to come, if not permanently augmented the means by which individuals can engage in such supportive services.
What Mental Health Technician Lead skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Timothy Hanna Ph.D.: Focusing on telehealth training could increase one's job options. Many workshops exist through various professional organizations tied to mental and spiritual health (ACA, APA, ACPE, SPT, PESI, etc.). If the student is interested in specialized certification (such as EMDR, DBT, etc.), they can also pursue those additional trainings during this time.
Sepideh Soheilian Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Baltimore
Division of Applied Behavioral Sciences
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Mental Health Technician Lead job market given the pandemic?
Sepideh Soheilian Ph.D.: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of mental health counselors is projected to grow 25% from 2019 to 2029, which is much greater than the average for all occupations. The pandemic has greatly affected the mental health of Americans due to the necessity to quarantine and/or keep a safe distance from others. Human beings are social by nature. Thus, social isolation can significantly impact stress levels and mental health. Additional ways that the pandemic has negatively affected mental health is via job loss as well as creating increased responsibilities for people while working virtually such as caring for children engaged in distance learning, or caring for the elderly. The aforementioned situations can be challenging and create stress for individuals, especially if they are unable to engage in appropriate self-care, or positive ways of coping in response to the new stresses in their lives. As such, my prediction is that there will be an even greater demand for mental health services due to the pandemic, consequently resulting in a greater need for mental health professionals.
What Mental Health Technician Lead skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Sepideh Soheilian Ph.D.: If a recent college graduate decides to take a gap year between their undergraduate studies and starting a master's program in Counseling Psychology, my advice would be to try their best to be exposed to or engage in either 1) experiences in the field of mental health, or 2) experiences that will strengthen their social science research skills. Engaging in these types of experiences such as working as an administrative assistant in a private practice, or volunteering on a psychiatric unit at a hospital will provide greater exposure to the field of mental health and hopefully, help the graduate determine if entering the mental health field would be the right fit for their career expectations, goals, and values.
What general advice would you give to a Mental Health Technician Lead?
Sepideh Soheilian Ph.D.: General advice I would give to a graduate in the field of counseling psychology beginning their career is to be flexible and open minded, especially during these unprecedented times due to the pandemic. Being open to providing mental health services in a variety of formats such as virtual or hybrid (combining virtual, and in-person services) will allow for greater flexibility in providing services to clients. Career development and career satisfaction is an ongoing process. Therefore, I would also encourage graduates to continually evaluate and assess their careers to determine if their current position is still the best fit for their career values, needs, and goals.
What type of skills will young Mental Health Technician Leads need?
Edward Dunbar: Additionally, new graduates will need knowledge and skills in telehealth, integrative care and medicine, trauma, and case management. Whereas prior to the pandemic students had limited knowledge of the importance of client case management, the pandemic has required students to learn about community resources and helping clients with concrete short term goals.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Mental Health Technician Leads?
Edward Dunbar: Yes. Prior to this pandemic our graduates had little to no training in telehealth (distance-based counseling), and there was a steep learning curve for people who graduated and entered the field prior to the pandemic. For our current students, we have been able to assist them with developing the skills for multiple modes of counseling (telehealth, in person counseling, etc.). Additionally, the increase in mental health issues, addiction issues, domestic violence, and unemployment will affect our graduating students for years. They will need to be well-versed in treating higher acuity issues and helping clients from low SES. The pandemic has also highlighted the social systems and systemic injustice/racism which has made our students look more closely at the role of power/privilege and oppression in addictions and mental health counseling.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Mental Health Technician Leads?
Dr. Amy Evans: The pandemic certainly will have lasting impact on graduates in counseling, as we will see shifting expectations related to training and experience with telemental health for all counselors. Additionally, there is the impact on mental health of so many because of the pandemic across the world, including grief and loss, depression, anxiety, alcohol and drug concerns, as well as many other mental health concerns individuals may be experiencing. There continues to be a strong and growing need for counselors! Mental health counseling will continue to see growth in relation to job prospects for many years to come.
Grace Palmisano
Lancaster Bible College
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Mental Health Technician Lead job market given the pandemic?
Grace Palmisano: Since the pandemic started, mental health concerns have skyrocketed as the pandemic disrupted the regularity of peoples' social and work lives. There is an increase of depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, addictions, and sadly suicides during the pandemic as people encounter loneliness, social isolation/distancing, loss of loved ones, unemployment, financial struggles, etc. Because of this, more people are seeking mental health services to help them cope through this pandemic.
So job opportunities in the mental health field will steadily increase as the need for mental health services have increased, even for therapists themselves. It is a strange time for therapists to also share similar experiences and stresses as the client when it comes to the pandemic. Because of that, there is additional stress for therapists to care for their own mental health needs while supporting their clients'. The complications are that most mental health positions do require formal education and training, which can slow the process down. Nevertheless, there are training opportunities in communities that seek to provide first-aid mental health training to the community just to be informed and even just know the "basics."
Daniel Hall Ph.D.
Program Director, Assistant Professor of Counselor EducationUniversity of Lynchburg
College of Education, Leadership Studies, & Counseling
What experience really stands out on Mental Health Technician Lead resumes?
Daniel Hall Ph.D.: Specificity is an essential highlight that stands out on a resume - particularly as it relates to experience in the field. That means enough detail to clearly articulate professional skills. So, for example, not just a mention of facilitating small groups, but rather the topic of the group, the theoretical approach, etc. And, perhaps more importantly, outcomes. Applicants will really stand out if they can reference engagement in evidence-based best practices and then have data that demonstrates the success they have had in application and facilitation of those practices.
Kim Jones Ph.D.
Professor, Chair of Clinical ConcentrationUniversity of Arkansas at Little Rock
School of Social Work
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Mental Health Technician Lead job market given the pandemic?
Kim Jones Ph.D.: As a result of the pandemic, the need for mental health services will increase due to the devastating impact the pandemic has had. The pandemic, with its resulting stress, social isolation, loss of loved ones, and income, has resulted in increased levels of reported depression, anxiety, and alcohol and drug use. It has also negatively impacted children's emotional, educational, and psychological well-being.
It is reported that one in five U.S. citizens (47 million) have a mental health condition. These individuals are particularly vulnerable to relapse and a worsening of their conditions due to the stressful impact of the ongoing pandemic. The pandemic, in many instances, has also interrupted their usual regimen of mental health care.
Social workers will see a 13 percent growth rate in jobs between 2019 and 2029.
What skills stand out on Mental Health Technician Lead resumes?
Kim Jones Ph.D.: The necessary skills for today's market include the ability to implement evidence-informed mental health approaches, the ability to display empathy, knowledge of crisis intervention models, organizational skills, good work ethic, both verbal and written communication skills, cultural competence, and the ability to adapt to changing technology.
What general advice would you give to a Mental Health Technician Lead?
Chris Noone: The need for dedicated, compassionate social work and mental health professionals has never been greater. There is a significant increase in mental health problems worldwide, including PTSD, due to the pandemic. Social work and mental health staff have stepped up and are making a difference with sophisticated, evidence-based approaches, such as providing trauma-informed care. They quickly adapted to doing virtual teletherapy sessions and outdoor/walking visits with social distancing. The good news is they have more tools available in their toolkits, such as apps they can use with clients to help coach: meditation, breathing exercises, goal visualization, etc. Their work is more than essential right now and in the long-term.
Lynette Bartucci
Lynette Bartucci, M.S., CRC, APCC#7835 Clinics Director / Adjunct FacultyCalifornia State University - Fresno
Clinical Rehab Mental Health Counseling Program: CSU, Fresno Foundation- Ticket to Work Employment Network
What Mental Health Technician Lead skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Lynette Bartucci: I would recommend they try to enhance/include computer skills, such as Microsoft programs, including Excel and PowerPoint, and programs such as Zoom. Due to the pandemic, we continue to see a trend of "work from home" options needing essential computer and technology skills. Also, to polish up on grammar and appropriate English vocabulary. Again, a lot of communication needs to be done professionally through emails, texts, memos, and documents.
What experience really stands out on Mental Health Technician Lead resumes?
Dr. Robin Walters: In our field, several things stand out for social workers - first of all, it is essential to have volunteer experience. This indicates that you are willing to go above and beyond in your service to others. This is the hallmark of our profession, and we all are motivated to do this without reward and recognition. Field experience is also essential - our program here requires over 500 hours of field experience during a student's four years with us. This is far beyond our accrediting body needs; however, we see great value in having this as a goal. They have to experience two different placement types; this allows them to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. All of this adds to the value of their degree at the University of Findlay and prepares them for what is beyond the general expectation to have experience going into the field.
Logan Lamprecht Ph.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor, Counseling Clinic DirectorIdaho State University
Counseling Department (ISU Meridian Campus)
What general advice would you give to a Mental Health Technician Lead?
Logan Lamprecht Ph.D.: As they are starting their careers as professional counselors, most counseling graduates will likely work in a community practice, which I think is invaluable for continued professional development. I have seen several graduates try to go right into the private way, which can be enticing, due to the pay difference, but can challenge the trajectory of the student's growth - in addition to cutting themselves off from collegiality and informal consultation opportunities that are built into a team environment in community practice. There are several challenges to being professional, away from the support of a training environment, and having healthy boundaries and acceptable self-care practices in place are vital to the practitioner's longevity and ability to provide competent care.
What type of skills will young Mental Health Technician Leads need?
Dr. Thomas Dearden Ph.D.: Indeed, the way we work is changing. The skills that young graduates will need are diverse. Transferable skills and soft skills will certainly be marketable. These include traditional crafts such as communication, but I also think the world expects more empathy from its employees. Young graduates with an understanding of racism, sexism, and environmental responsibility will become increasingly important.
How do you envision technology impacting Mental Health Technician Leads in the next 5 years?
Jon Sperry Ph.D.: The next five years will include a major increase in counseling services being offered virtually. Some mental health-related app developers are currently scrambling to develop apps to increase the accessibility of counseling services to individuals from the comfort of their own homes. These apps allow individuals to access mental health counseling services through video chatting, texting, or phone.
What general advice would you give to a Mental Health Technician Lead?
Dr. Meredith Bertrand: History is ever-changing, and teachers must clarify how current events are just as much a part of the study of history as any other socio-political period or event. If you are not comparing the civil rights movement of today to the ongoing civil rights movements of the past, and if you are not supporting the campaign against oppression and institutional racism upon which our nation was built, then you are doing continuous harm to those who need you to act and disrupt the cycle. History teachers better be ready to be activists, not just teachers, or else you are perpetuating the status quo.