As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Behavioral Health Technician in the United States is $42,000 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $20.
However, a Behavioral Health Technician's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Behavioral Health Technician's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Behavioral Health Technician's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Behavioral Health Technician | 1-3 years | $41,915 |
| Supervisor of Behavioral Health Services | 3-5 years | $90,823 |
| Manager of Behavioral Health Services | 5+ years | $105,202 |
| Director of Behavioral Health Services | 5+ years | $139,627 |
| Vice President of Behavioral Health | 5+ years | $172,813 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Behavioral Health Technicians. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 16.68% |
| Social Work | 3.01% |
| First Aid | 2.61% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Commitment
|
$51,660 |
23%
|
|
Child Development
|
$44,940 |
7%
|
|
Applied Behavior Analysis
|
$43,680 |
4%
|
|
Social Work
|
$43,680 |
4%
|
|
Products and Services
|
$43,260 |
3%
|
|
Organizational Skills
|
$42,840 |
2%
|
Behavioral Health Technician salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $45,245. While startup companies pay approximate $38,411.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $38,411 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $40,592 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $43,721 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $45,245 |
For Behavioral Health Technician roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Insurance, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Behavioral Health Technician positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Behavioral Health Technician as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insurance | $50,400 | $24.0 | 20% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Behavioral Health Technicians enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Behavioral Health Technician with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $37,830 and $40,188).
Behavioral Health Technician Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.3% |
| High School | 17.7% |
| Associates | 12.6% |
| Bachelors | 53.0% |
| Masters | 16.4% |
| Doctorate | 0.0% |
Understanding how a Behavioral Health Technician's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on August 01, 2026For a Behavioral Health Technician, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Supervisor of Behavioral Health Services role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $90,900 - a projected growth of 116% over your current level.
Salaries for a Behavioral Health Technician can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $38,320 in 2023 to around $37,669 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Behavioral Health Technician salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $38,320 |
| 2024 | $37,958 |
| 2025 | $37,669 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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The Insurance industry offers the highest average compensation for Behavioral Health Technician roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.
Behavioral Health Technicians typically work around 35 to 40 hours per week, depending on the setting. In clinics, hours may exceed 40, while school settings usually align with standard school hours. Salaries for this role range from $36,900 to $46,200, with a mid-range salary of $40,900, reflecting the varied work arrangements and responsibilities.
Behavioral Health Technicians in the US typically earn between $36,900 and $46,200 annually. The average salary is around $40,900, reflecting the midpoint of this range. These figures provide a clear overview of the expected compensation for this role in the behavioral health field.
Behavioral health technicians, also known as mental health or psychiatric technicians, assist doctors and nurses in treating patients with behavioral issues, developmental disorders, or mental illnesses. Their salary typically ranges from $36,900 to $46,200, with a median salary of $40,900, reflecting the important role they play in mental health care.
The highest paying job in behavioral health varies, but for Behavioral Health Technicians, salaries range from $36,900 to $46,200, with a mid-salary of $40,900. While other psychology careers like Clinical Psychologists and Forensic Psychologists offer higher salaries, the technician role is essential in supporting mental health services.
The highest paid Behavioral Health Technicians earn a maximum salary of $46,200 per year. The median salary for this role is $40,900, while the lowest earners make around $36,900 annually. This salary range reflects the varying levels of experience and responsibilities within the field.
The Behavioral Health Technician role offers a salary range from $36,900 to $46,200, with a mid-salary of $40,900. While there are various technical jobs that can pay more, such as engineering technicians and registered nurses, the specific pay for Behavioral Health Technicians is competitive within the healthcare field.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
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