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The differences between psychiatric technicians and mental health associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a psychiatric technician has an average salary of $39,662, which is higher than the $36,510 average annual salary of a mental health associate.
The top three skills for a psychiatric technician include patients, mental health and social work. The most important skills for a mental health associate are patients, customer service, and vital signs.
| Psychiatric Technician | Mental Health Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $39,662 | $36,510 |
| Hourly rate | $19.07 | $17.55 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 64,888 | 122,947 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 34 | 45 |
| Years of experience | - | 4 |
A psychiatric technician is responsible for supporting patients with mental issues and disabilities by administering treatment plans and quality therapeutic care. Psychiatric technicians assist the patients through counseling, observing their mental and social behaviors, and suggesting recreational activities to help them interact with others. They also work with other medical professionals to seek advice, especially when performing medical procedures and suggesting medications. A psychiatric technician must have excellent communication and time-management skills, especially when responding to the patients' concerns and looking after them during daily activities.
As a mental health associate, you will assist the medical team members in diagnosing and treating individuals with mental, developmental, and behavioral conditions. You may be tasked to facilitate individual and group therapy sessions, help patients with their day-to-day activities such as self-care and hygiene, and assist in administering medications prescribed by physicians. Other duties include planning and leading program activities, attending treatment rounds, and assisting with the physical care of patients. The qualifications and skills required for this role include a bachelor's degree in social science or psychology, previous work experience, and certification on basic life support.
Psychiatric technicians and mental health associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Psychiatric Technician | Mental Health Associate | |
| Average salary | $39,662 | $36,510 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $61,000 | Between $25,000 And $51,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Barbara, CA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | California | New York |
| Best paying company | St. Tammany Health System | Columbia University in the City of New York |
| Best paying industry | Government | Professional |
There are a few differences between a psychiatric technician and a mental health associate in terms of educational background:
| Psychiatric Technician | Mental Health Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | Johns Hopkins University | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between psychiatric technicians' and mental health associates' demographics:
| Psychiatric Technician | Mental Health Associate | |
| Average age | 34 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 40.1% Female, 59.9% | Male, 33.0% Female, 67.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 14.3% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 6.4% White, 51.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% | Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 3.1% White, 74.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 15% | 15% |