How much do psych techs make vs nurses?

[regnurse1995]

I am going for an interview next week for a hospital psych position (nights) and my son is applying for a psych tech. He is asking how much they make and I have no idea. Anyone?

[ok2bme]

At my facility, the techs make about $13.50, while the RNs make $23.50-$33.50, depending on experience.

[caliotter3]

I think that some of the people posting are confusing psychiatric technicians with the equivalent of certified nursing assistants, patient care technicians or similar title. They are two distinct jobs. In CA, the psychiatric technicians are governed by the same board as the vocational nurses. I've read several job listings just today that call for LVN or LPT at psych facilities, indicating that the compensation is the same or comparable.

[ctyson81]

Where I work Minnesota CNA's make 10, lpns 17, mental health techs 15, Rn's 28. Thats all starting wage.

[elkpark]

I think that some of the people posting are confusing psychiatric technicians with the equivalent of certified nursing assistants, patient care technicians or similar title. They are two distinct jobs. In CA, the psychiatric technicians are governed by the same board as the vocational nurses. I've read several job listings just today that call for LVN or LPT at psych facilities, indicating that the compensation is the same or comparable.

I am aware that that's the case in CA; however, it's not the case in my state, where psych techs are basically comparable to CNAs (many of the psych techs I work with are CNAs) in duties and pay, and the OP hasn't said anything I can see to suggest that she's asking about CA. She just asked the general question.

[NPvampire, MSN, RN, APRN]

Wow! $50 per hour!!! Our NPs here don't even make that.

CNA/HST/MHA minimum wage -> 13 base

LPN 10 -> 20 base

RN 17 -> 33.65 base (no benefits on that 2nd figure)

first numbers are typically people with no experience at a state hospital to experienced at a private hospital

[mentalhealthRN]

I think it depends on if you are in a state where anyone can work as a psych tech or if they require a degree or if they actually have a psych tech license. Here in NY state they require a degree.....like a bachelors in psych, social work, sociology, or they would take someone with a associates and years of experience in a psych type setting.