Mental Health Technician Salary in California (2026)
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, mental health technician wages in California vary by metro area, experience, and specialization. Below you will find detailed salary data and wage percentile breakdowns.
Mental-Health-Tech Salary in California
Salary Range
Employment & Outlook
Mental Health Technician Wages by Metro Area in California
Psychiatric Technicians Wages by Metro Area in California
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), psychiatric technicians wages in California vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | 4,770 | $48,040 | $53,050 | $40,750 | $74,400 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | 1,390 | $48,470 | $58,850 | $41,840 | $83,110 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | 1,020 | $54,640 | $63,480 | $44,340 | $97,570 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | 910 | $47,810 | $55,540 | $40,880 | $86,980 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | 900 | $48,120 | $53,350 | $37,080 | $77,120 |
| Fresno | 620 | $53,680 | $59,390 | $34,910 | $87,850 |
| Stockton-Lodi | 330 | $95,580 | $90,620 | $66,130 | $105,080 |
| Napa | 320 | $83,960 | $79,140 | $52,230 | $93,180 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | 260 | $55,550 | $63,410 | $43,610 | $99,280 |
| Vallejo | 260 | $76,120 | $76,310 | $50,950 | $101,030 |
| Visalia | 200 | $76,700 | $73,420 | $47,510 | $94,900 |
| Modesto | 160 | $48,390 | $53,170 | $36,590 | $78,460 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | 80 | $51,370 | $60,190 | $38,700 | $90,040 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | 70 | $63,510 | $64,900 | $42,910 | $86,920 |
| El Centro | 40 | $37,820 | $48,180 | $37,820 | $83,110 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | N/A | $43,710 | $45,840 | $37,570 | $57,760 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Understanding Wage Percentiles
Wage percentiles show how mental health technician salaries are distributed across California. The 10th percentile represents entry-level wages, while the 90th percentile reflects what experienced professionals earn. The median (50th percentile) is the midpoint where half of mental health technicians earn more and half earn less.
These figures come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and reflect reported wages for California. Actual earnings depend on employer, certifications, and years of experience.
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About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade career guide using BLS, DOL, and state licensing data. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.