How to Become a Psychiatric Technician in Virginia (2026)
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Virginia does not license psychiatric technicians, so each employer sets its own hiring requirements. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists a postsecondary certificate as the typical entry-level education for psychiatric technicians and a high school diploma or GED for psychiatric aides, and employers may require CPR or basic life support certification. A Virginia CNA certification, a postsecondary certificate, or optional national certification from the American Association of Psychiatric Technicians (AAPT) can strengthen an application.
Psychiatric technicians earned a national median of $45,130 in May 2025, and BLS projects technician jobs to grow 22% from 2025 to 2035. In Virginia, the median for the same occupation was $48,320.
Psychiatric Technician Salary in Virginia
- Virginia psychiatric technicians: a median of $48,320 a year, or $23.23 an hour, with 3,950 employed, according to May 2025 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The lowest 10% earned under $38,580 and the top 10% over $58,530. Nationally, the median was $45,130 for technicians and $44,910 for aides.
- Virginia psychiatric aides: a median of $37,280 a year, or $17.92 an hour. BLS did not release an employment estimate for this group in Virginia. The Virginia technician median is about $11,040 higher than the aide median.
- Virginia metro areas: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria $50,840 (1,450 employed), Richmond $48,320 (610), Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk $47,420 (1,150), and Roanoke $45,020 (130). The Washington and Virginia Beach figures cover metro areas that cross into other states, and BLS does not publish the Virginia portion separately.
- Job outlook: the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects 22% growth for psychiatric technicians from 2025 to 2035, against 2% for aides, with about 21,900 openings a year for the two occupations combined.
- Pay by setting, nationally: in some of the top industries where psychiatric technicians work, the median was $47,090 in social assistance and $45,460 in offices of mental health practitioners. Psychiatric aides in state psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals earned a median of $48,480.
Career Paths After Becoming a Psychiatric Technician
As a psychiatric technician, you may have opportunities to advance your career, such as specializing in a particular area of mental health or developmental disabilities.
- Registered Nurse (RN): Pursue an associate or bachelor's degree in nursing for advanced roles and higher salaries.
- Mental Health Counselor: Earn a master's degree in counseling or social work to provide therapeutic services.
- Behavioral Health Specialist: Focus on behavioral therapy and rehabilitation with additional certifications.
- Psychiatric Technician Supervisor: With experience, oversee a team of technicians in healthcare facilities.
- Specializations: Work in specific fields like addiction recovery, adolescent psychiatry, or geriatric mental health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a license to be a psych tech in Virginia?
No. AAPT lists four states where a psychiatric technician license is recognized: California, Colorado, Arkansas, and Kansas. Virginia is not one of them, so each employer sets its own requirements.
Is a psych tech the same as a CNA?
No. A certified nurse aide is a state credential issued through the Virginia Board of Nursing, while psychiatric technician is a job title whose requirements each employer sets. The roles are different, but some Virginia psychiatric hospital postings list a CNA as preferred.
How much does a psychiatric technician make in Virginia?
Virginia psychiatric technicians earned a median of $48,320 a year, or $23.23 an hour, according to May 2025 BLS data.
Where do psychiatric technicians get paid the most?
Oregon ($59,820), New York ($58,080), and Nebraska ($57,370) lead the states on median pay, and D.C. is highest overall at $67,430, according to May 2025 BLS wage data.
How long does it take to become a psychiatric technician?
BLS lists short-term on-the-job training for the occupation, and aide-level roles can start with a high school diploma. A postsecondary certificate, which BLS lists as typical for technicians, takes longer, and AAPT's Levels 2 and 3 require 480 to 960 hours of college coursework plus one to two years of work experience.
Starting Your Psychiatric Technician Career in Virginia
Virginia does not license psychiatric technicians, so how to become a psych tech here comes down to what employers ask for: a high school diploma or GED, CPR or basic life support certification, and an entry-level direct-care role in a psychiatric or behavioral health setting.
From there, a Virginia CNA certification, a postsecondary certificate, or AAPT certification adds credentials for technician-level roles. Dreambound lists psychiatric technician classes by location, including online options.
