Psychiatric Aides
SOC Code: 31-1133 Job Zone 2: Some Preparation Needed
Assist mentally impaired or emotionally disturbed patients, working under direction of nursing and medical staff. May assist with daily living activities, lead patients in educational and recreational activities, or accompany patients to and from examinations and treatments. May restrain violent patients. Includes psychiatric orderlies.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Psychiatric Aides. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salinas, CA | $41,288 | $56,098 | $70,928 | $85,738 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $41,371 | $55,328 | $69,285 | $83,242 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $40,830 | $52,874 | $64,917 | $76,960 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $65,998 | $69,181 | $72,342 | $75,525 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $48,526 | $57,262 | $66,019 | $74,755 |
| Kingston, NY | $59,280 | $63,856 | $68,432 | $73,008 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $38,230 | $49,130 | $60,050 | $70,949 |
| Fresno, CA | $41,496 | $51,002 | $60,486 | $69,992 |
| Worcester, MA | $44,262 | $52,707 | $61,152 | $69,597 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $35,984 | $47,112 | $58,219 | $69,347 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.9 | |
| Service Orientation | 3.9 | |
| Speaking | 3.9 | |
| Monitoring | 3.8 | |
| Active Listening | 3.8 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.4 | |
| Active Learning | 3.2 | |
| Coordination | 3.2 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.1 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.1 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Psychology | 4.0 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 3.6 |
| Therapy and Counseling | 3.1 |
| English Language | 3.1 |
| Administrative | 3.0 |
| Sociology and Anthropology | 3.0 |
| Public Safety and Security | 2.9 |
| Administration and Management | 2.5 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Post-secondary certificate | 45.7% |
| High school diploma | 24.2% |
| Some college | 16.5% |
| Associate's degree | 9.6% |
| Bachelor's degree | 4.1% |
Typical Tasks
- Provide patients with cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disabilities with routine physical, emotional, psychological, or rehabilitation care under the direction of nursing or medical staff.
- Work as part of a team that may include psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, or social workers.
- Aid patients in becoming accustomed to hospital routines.
- Organize, supervise, or encourage patient participation in social, educational, or recreational activities.
- Serve meals or feed patients needing assistance or persuasion.
- Restrain or aid patients as necessary to prevent injury.
- Provide patients with assistance in bathing, dressing, or grooming, demonstrating these skills as necessary.
- Participate in recreational activities with patients, including card games, sports, or television viewing.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Windows Microsoft Word Email software Patient management software
Calculate your wage level for Psychiatric Aides →
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