California / Department of State Hospitals / Psychiatric Technician (Safety)

Job-title file

Psychiatric Technician (Safety)

Operate, maintain, and repair equipment or facilities, performing skilled hands-on work.

3,223 employees hold this title in Department of State Hospitals. Median total compensation for the role is $87,505, below the department median of $92,376.

Employees: 3,223
Total payroll: $267.6M
Role median: $87,505
Agency median: $92,376
Comparison: Below

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

-$4,240$191,762+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How total compensation varies among the 3,223 people in this role. Even for one job title, pay differs with seniority, step, overtime, and tenure. Each bar is a pay range; the far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Compared with the local labor market

Psychiatric Technician (Safety) pay vs. California

Across all employers in California, the median wage for Psychiatric Technicians — about 14,100 people — is $49,140. Department of State Hospitals pays a median base salary of $79,174 for this role, 61% above that figure — about the 80th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Department of State Hospitals sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$40,880

$46,620

$49,140

$74,390

$88,090

Department of State Hospitals median · $79,174

The bar is the range of annual wages for Psychiatric Technicians across every employer in California, from the 10th to the 90th percentile, with the middle 50% highlighted. The marker shows Department of State Hospitals’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

And across the country

Nationwide, the median wage for Psychiatric Technicians — about 156,960 people — is $45,130. Department of State Hospitals’s median base salary is 75% above that national figure, above the 90th percentile of pay for the occupation nationally.

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$35,090

$38,430

$45,130

$50,160

$60,750

Department of State Hospitals median · $79,174

Local and national wages differ for reasons beyond how well a job pays — cost of living, the mix of employers, and local demand for the occupation all move the California range relative to the national one.

Computed over the 2,557 of 3,223 people in this role paid at least $25,000in base salary. The rest are part-year or part-time records, whose actual pay isn’t comparable to a full-time annual wage.

Median total compensation for this role at Department of State Hospitals is $87,505, which includes overtime and employer-paid benefits. The benchmark above excludes both, so total compensation is deliberately not compared against it.

Benchmark: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) covers all employers in the area — private, non-profit, and government alike — so this is a comparison against the whole local labor market for the occupation, not against private-sector pay. OEWS wages are straight-time pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials, and employer-paid benefits, so the government figure shown here is base pay on the same basis. Total compensation is not comparable to it. Job titles are matched to the closest standard occupation, so the comparison is between similar work rather than an identical job classification.

Compare departments

This role across California

Psychiatric Technician (Safety) is held in 4 California departments. In Department of State Hospitals, the median of $87,505 ranks #3 of 4.

Highest-paying departments for this role

Cdcr/Cchcs

$97,913 · 273

CDCR

$91,285 · 1,008

Developmental Services

$82,790 · 287

Median total compensation for the Psychiatric Technician (Safety) role in other Californiadepartments (highest first). Each bar links to that department’s page for this role.

Compare jurisdictions

Psychiatric Technician beyond California

This role is reported in 5 jurisdictions. In California, the median of $87,817 ranks #3 of 5. See Psychiatric Technician across all of California →

Highest-paying jurisdictions for this role

Los Angeles County

$129,871 · 75

City and County of San Francisco

$121,087 · 47

Tennessee

$39,000 · 497

Rhode Island

$19,367 · 12

Median total compensation for comparable Psychiatric Technicianroles in other jurisdictions. Titles are matched by normalized name across sources, not identical job classification, and pay is not cost-of-living adjusted. Each bar links to that jurisdiction’s page for the role.

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 3

Ashley Forbes

Psychiatric Technician (Safety)/Department of State Hospitals

2025 total comp

$37,876

Sub-department: Patton State Hospital
Base pay: $28,623
Overtime: $4,157
Other pay: $5,096
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $37,876
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R18
Work county: San Bernardino

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,178
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5020328253108
Salary Total: $6,963
Total Pay: $37,876

Ashley Forbes holds the role of Psychiatric Technician (Safety) at Department of State Hospitals within Patton State Hospital. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $37,876. They are represented by R18.

Virginia Cobb

Psychiatric Technician (Safety)/Department of State Hospitals

2025 total comp

$37,717

Sub-department: Coalinga Secure Treatment Fac
Base pay: $10,108
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $27,609
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $37,717
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R18
Work county: Fresno
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,249
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 4370728253105
Salary Total: $7,449
Total Pay: $37,717

Virginia Cobb is a Psychiatric Technician (Safety) at Department of State Hospitals within Coalinga Secure Treatment Fac. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $37,717. They are represented by R18.

Nevalynn Brinkley

Psychiatric Technician (Safety)/Department of State Hospitals

2023 total comp

$37,708

Sub-department: Coalinga Secure Treatment Fac
Base pay: $23,242
Overtime: $2,357
Other pay: $12,108
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $37,708
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R18
Work county: Fresno
Middle name: N

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $5,546
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 4370328253035
Salary Total: $5,546
Total Pay: $37,708

Nevalynn Brinkley holds the role of Psychiatric Technician (Safety) at Department of State Hospitals within Coalinga Secure Treatment Fac. Their status is full-time. In 2023, their total compensation was $37,708. Their bargaining unit is R18.

Emily Castleman

Psychiatric Technician (Safety)/Department of State Hospitals

2023 total comp

$37,578

Sub-department: Coalinga Secure Treatment Fac
Base pay: $0
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $37,578
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $37,578
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R18
Work county: Fresno
Middle name: N

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,101
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 4370828253026
Salary Total: $6,301
Total Pay: $37,578

At Department of State Hospitals, Emily Castleman serves as a Psychiatric Technician (Safety) within Coalinga Secure Treatment Fac. They work full-time. Their 2023 pay totaled $37,578. They are represented by R18.

Rebecca Khan

Psychiatric Technician (Safety)/Department of State Hospitals

2025 total comp

$37,556

Sub-department: Patton State Hospital
Base pay: $35,813
Overtime: $59
Other pay: $1,684
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $37,556
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R18
Work county: San Bernardino
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,797
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5027028253057
Salary Total: $6,593
Total Pay: $37,556

Rebecca Khan holds the role of Psychiatric Technician (Safety) at Department of State Hospitals within Patton State Hospital. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $37,556. Their bargaining unit is R18.

Leonel Alcaraz Verduzco

Psychiatric Technician (Safety)/Department of State Hospitals

2023 total comp

$37,472

Sub-department: Coalinga Secure Treatment Fac
Base pay: $23,601
Overtime: $12,176
Other pay: $1,696
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $37,472
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R18
Work county: Fresno

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $5,673
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 4370228253014
Salary Total: $5,673
Total Pay: $37,472

Leonel Alcaraz Verduzco holds the role of Psychiatric Technician (Safety) at Department of State Hospitals within Coalinga Secure Treatment Fac. Their status is full-time. In 2023, their total compensation was $37,472. They are represented by R18.

Tamiko Glenn

Psychiatric Technician (Safety)/Department of State Hospitals

2025 total comp

$37,461

Sub-department: Patton State Hospital
Base pay: $36,895
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $565
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $37,461
Employment type: Intermittent
Union / bargaining unit: R18
Work county: San Bernardino
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,535
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5022228253902
Salary Total: $37
Total Pay: $37,461

Tamiko Glenn holds the role of Psychiatric Technician (Safety) at Department of State Hospitals within Patton State Hospital. Their status is intermittent. In 2025, their total compensation was $37,461. Their bargaining unit is R18.

Abigail Danh

Psychiatric Technician (Safety)/Department of State Hospitals

2023 total comp

$37,411

Sub-department: Patton State Hospital
Base pay: $34,739
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,672
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $37,411
Employment type: Intermittent
Union / bargaining unit: R18
Work county: San Bernardino
Middle name: K

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,724
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5020528253902
Salary Total: $39
Total Pay: $37,411

Abigail Danh holds the role of Psychiatric Technician (Safety) at Department of State Hospitals within Patton State Hospital. Their status is intermittent. In 2023, their total compensation was $37,411. Union affiliation: R18.

Michelle Palmer

Psychiatric Technician (Safety)/Department of State Hospitals

2025 total comp

$37,355

Sub-department: Napa State Hospital
Base pay: $37,355
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $37,355
Employment type: Intermittent
Union / bargaining unit: R18
Work county: Napa
Middle name: T

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,903
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 4803328253902
Salary Total: $40
Total Pay: $37,355

Michelle Palmer is a Psychiatric Technician (Safety) at Department of State Hospitals within Napa State Hospital. They work intermittent. 2025 total compensation came to $37,355. Their bargaining unit is R18.

Ivan Ortiz

Psychiatric Technician (Safety)/Department of State Hospitals

2024 total comp

$37,217

Sub-department: Metropolitan State Hospital
Base pay: $35,209
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,008
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $37,217
Employment type: Intermittent
Union / bargaining unit: R18
Work county: Los Angeles

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $5,957
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 4872228253902
Salary Total: $36
Total Pay: $37,217

Ivan Ortiz works as a Psychiatric Technician (Safety) for Department of State Hospitals within Metropolitan State Hospital. Their status is intermittent. Ivan earned $37,217 in 2024. Union affiliation: R18.

Magaly Garcia Chavez

Psychiatric Technician (Safety)/Department of State Hospitals

2025 total comp

$37,166

Sub-department: Coalinga Secure Treatment Fac
Base pay: $36,624
Overtime: $50
Other pay: $492
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $37,166
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R18
Work county: Fresno
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,797
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 4370828253021
Salary Total: $6,793
Total Pay: $37,166

Magaly Garcia Chavez is a Psychiatric Technician (Safety) at Department of State Hospitals within Coalinga Secure Treatment Fac. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $37,166. Union affiliation: R18.

John Barger

Psychiatric Technician (Safety)/Department of State Hospitals

2025 total comp

$36,913

Sub-department: Patton State Hospital
Base pay: $36,913
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $36,913
Employment type: Intermittent
Union / bargaining unit: R18
Work county: San Bernardino
Middle name: D

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,659
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5020228253902
Salary Total: $38
Total Pay: $36,913

At Department of State Hospitals, John Barger serves as a Psychiatric Technician (Safety) within Patton State Hospital. They work intermittent. Their 2025 pay totaled $36,913. They are represented by R18.

Craig Dooley

Psychiatric Technician (Safety)/Department of State Hospitals

2025 total comp

$36,667

Sub-department: Napa State Hospital
Base pay: $36,667
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $36,667
Employment type: Intermittent
Union / bargaining unit: R18
Work county: Napa
Middle name: S

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,797
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 4803028253902
Salary Total: $39
Total Pay: $36,667

At Department of State Hospitals, Craig Dooley serves as a Psychiatric Technician (Safety) within Napa State Hospital. They work intermittent. Their 2025 pay totaled $36,667. Union affiliation: R18.

Martha Chamalbide

Psychiatric Technician (Safety)/Department of State Hospitals

2025 total comp

$36,184

Sub-department: Coalinga Secure Treatment Fac
Base pay: $30,420
Overtime: $4,286
Other pay: $1,477
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $36,184
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R18
Work county: Fresno

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $5,843
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 4370228253020
Salary Total: $5,868
Total Pay: $36,184

Martha Chamalbide holds the role of Psychiatric Technician (Safety) at Department of State Hospitals within Coalinga Secure Treatment Fac. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $36,184. They are represented by R18.

Melissa Highland

Psychiatric Technician (Safety)/Department of State Hospitals

2024 total comp

$36,169

Sub-department: Atascadero State Hospital
Base pay: $26,162
Overtime: $7
Other pay: $10,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $36,169
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R18
Work county: San Luis Obispo
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,970
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 4550428253052
Salary Total: $7,370
Total Pay: $36,169

Melissa Highland is a Psychiatric Technician (Safety) at Department of State Hospitals within Atascadero State Hospital. They work full-time. 2024 total compensation came to $36,169. Union affiliation: R18.

Briana Castaneda

Psychiatric Technician (Safety)/Department of State Hospitals

2025 total comp

$36,140

Sub-department: Patton State Hospital
Base pay: $33,619
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,521
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $36,140
Employment type: Intermittent
Union / bargaining unit: R18
Work county: San Bernardino
Middle name: G

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,135
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5020728253902
Salary Total: $35
Total Pay: $36,140

Briana Castaneda holds the role of Psychiatric Technician (Safety) at Department of State Hospitals within Patton State Hospital. Their status is intermittent. In 2025, their total compensation was $36,140. Union affiliation: R18.

Ashley Ranard

Psychiatric Technician (Safety)/Department of State Hospitals

2025 total comp

$35,974

Sub-department: Patton State Hospital
Base pay: $33,476
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,499
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $35,974
Employment type: Intermittent
Union / bargaining unit: R18
Work county: San Bernardino
Middle name: E

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,249
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5020728253902
Salary Total: $42
Total Pay: $35,974

Ashley Ranard holds the role of Psychiatric Technician (Safety) at Department of State Hospitals within Patton State Hospital. Their status is intermittent. In 2025, their total compensation was $35,974. They are represented by R18.

Janel Lewis

Psychiatric Technician (Safety)/Department of State Hospitals

2025 total comp

$35,921

Sub-department: Patton State Hospital
Base pay: $33,023
Overtime: $955
Other pay: $1,944
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $35,921
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R18
Work county: San Bernardino
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,993
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5020328253004
Salary Total: $6,993
Total Pay: $35,921

Janel Lewis works as a Psychiatric Technician (Safety) for Department of State Hospitals within Patton State Hospital. Their status is full-time. Janel earned $35,921 in 2025. They are represented by R18.

Israel Vargas Verduzco

Psychiatric Technician (Safety)/Department of State Hospitals

2025 total comp

$35,797

Sub-department: Atascadero State Hospital
Base pay: $23,584
Overtime: $6,935
Other pay: $5,278
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $35,797
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R18
Work county: San Luis Obispo

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $5,673
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 4550128253175
Salary Total: $6,376
Total Pay: $35,797

Israel Vargas Verduzco works as a Psychiatric Technician (Safety) for Department of State Hospitals within Atascadero State Hospital. Their status is full-time. Israel earned $35,797 in 2025. Union affiliation: R18.

Corrine Esmon

Psychiatric Technician (Safety)/Department of State Hospitals

2025 total comp

$35,770

Sub-department: Atascadero State Hospital
Base pay: $31,146
Overtime: $370
Other pay: $4,255
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $35,770
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R18
Work county: San Luis Obispo
Middle name: S

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,466
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 4550628253002
Salary Total: $7,521
Total Pay: $35,770

At Department of State Hospitals, Corrine Esmon serves as a Psychiatric Technician (Safety) within Atascadero State Hospital. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $35,770. Union affiliation: R18.

Joyce Kwan

Psychiatric Technician (Safety)/Department of State Hospitals

2023 total comp

$35,743

Sub-department: Metropolitan State Hospital
Base pay: $22,545
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $13,198
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $35,743
Employment type: Intermittent
Union / bargaining unit: R18
Work county: Los Angeles
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,970
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 4872228253902
Salary Total: $41
Total Pay: $35,743

Joyce Kwan works as a Psychiatric Technician (Safety) for Department of State Hospitals within Metropolitan State Hospital. Their status is intermittent. Joyce earned $35,743 in 2023. They are represented by R18.

Justin Giron

Psychiatric Technician (Safety)/Department of State Hospitals

2025 total comp

$35,561

Sub-department: Patton State Hospital
Base pay: $34,533
Overtime: $79
Other pay: $949
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $35,561
Employment type: Intermittent
Union / bargaining unit: R18
Work county: San Bernardino
Middle name: C

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,249
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5020528253902
Salary Total: $35
Total Pay: $35,561

Justin Giron holds the role of Psychiatric Technician (Safety) at Department of State Hospitals within Patton State Hospital. Their status is intermittent. In 2025, their total compensation was $35,561. They are represented by R18.

Veronica Desoto

Psychiatric Technician (Safety)/Department of State Hospitals

2025 total comp

$35,481

Sub-department: Coalinga Secure Treatment Fac
Base pay: $9,042
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $26,438
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $35,481
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R18
Work county: Fresno

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,203
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 4370328253920
Salary Total: $7,403
Total Pay: $35,481

Veronica Desoto is a Psychiatric Technician (Safety) at Department of State Hospitals within Coalinga Secure Treatment Fac. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $35,481. They are represented by R18.

Perla Orozco

Psychiatric Technician (Safety)/Department of State Hospitals

2025 total comp

$35,462

Sub-department: Coalinga Secure Treatment Fac
Base pay: $30,383
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $5,079
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $35,462
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R18
Work county: Fresno

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,797
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 4370228253151
Salary Total: $6,997
Total Pay: $35,462

Perla Orozco holds the role of Psychiatric Technician (Safety) at Department of State Hospitals within Coalinga Secure Treatment Fac. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $35,462. Their bargaining unit is R18.

Ameriano Baraero

Psychiatric Technician (Safety)/Department of State Hospitals

2023 total comp

$35,378

Sub-department: Patton State Hospital
Base pay: $13,672
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $21,706
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $35,378
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R18
Work county: San Bernardino
Middle name: S

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,465
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5020428253068
Salary Total: $6,465
Total Pay: $35,378

Ameriano Baraero is a Psychiatric Technician (Safety) at Department of State Hospitals within Patton State Hospital. They work full-time. 2023 total compensation came to $35,378. Their bargaining unit is R18.

Alfred Garcia

Psychiatric Technician (Safety)/Department of State Hospitals

2024 total comp

$35,370

Sub-department: Metropolitan State Hospital
Base pay: $0
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $35,370
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $35,370
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R18
Work county: Los Angeles
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,702
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 4870428253261
Salary Total: $6,902
Total Pay: $35,370

Alfred Garcia holds the role of Psychiatric Technician (Safety) at Department of State Hospitals within Metropolitan State Hospital. Their status is full-time. In 2024, their total compensation was $35,370. Their bargaining unit is R18.

Donna Dirks

Psychiatric Technician (Safety)/Department of State Hospitals

2025 total comp

$35,216

Sub-department: Metropolitan State Hospital
Base pay: $31,741
Overtime: $1,923
Other pay: $1,553
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $35,216
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R18
Work county: Los Angeles
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,203
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 4870428253034
Salary Total: $7,187
Total Pay: $35,216

Donna Dirks holds the role of Psychiatric Technician (Safety) at Department of State Hospitals within Metropolitan State Hospital. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $35,216. They are represented by R18.

Peter Njoroge

Psychiatric Technician (Safety)/Department of State Hospitals

2023 total comp

$35,026

Sub-department: Napa State Hospital
Base pay: $22,528
Overtime: $1,365
Other pay: $11,133
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $35,026
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R18
Work county: Napa
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $5,673
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 4800328253103
Salary Total: $5,873
Total Pay: $35,026

At Department of State Hospitals, Peter Njoroge serves as a Psychiatric Technician (Safety) within Napa State Hospital. They work full-time. Their 2023 pay totaled $35,026. Union affiliation: R18.