National Salary Overview
VS
Psychiatric Aides earns $1,459 more (3.5%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$41,812
$43,271
Average (Mean) Salary
$42,553
$44,310
Total Employment
1,448,920
33,860
States with Higher Pay
16
23
Salary by State: Nursing Assistants vs Psychiatric Aides
Showing 39 states where both occupations have BLS data. Nursing Assistants pays more in 16 states; Psychiatric Aides pays more in 23.
| State | Nursing Assistants | Psychiatric Aides | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $34,140 | $27,150 | +$6,990 | ||
| Alaska | $46,370 | $49,300 | $-2,930 | ||
| Arkansas | $34,430 | $36,270 | $-1,840 | ||
| California | $47,630 | $47,500 | +$130 | ||
| Colorado | $47,380 | $46,130 | +$1,250 | ||
| Connecticut | $44,790 | $44,660 | +$130 | ||
| Florida | $37,510 | $37,930 | $-420 | ||
| Georgia | $37,680 | $36,790 | +$890 | ||
| Hawaii | $45,350 | $52,310 | $-6,960 | ||
| Illinois | $45,960 | $48,670 | $-2,710 | ||
| Indiana | $38,330 | $44,860 | $-6,530 | ||
| Iowa | $39,350 | $39,260 | +$90 | ||
| Kansas | $38,010 | $38,390 | $-380 | ||
| Kentucky | $38,370 | $38,610 | $-240 | ||
| Louisiana | $30,510 | $30,030 | +$480 | ||
| Maine | $47,070 | $46,720 | +$350 | ||
| Maryland | $43,240 | $51,440 | $-8,200 | ||
| Massachusetts | $46,680 | $45,300 | +$1,380 | ||
| Michigan | $39,570 | $45,800 | $-6,230 | ||
| Minnesota | $46,680 | $55,040 | $-8,360 | ||
| Mississippi | $31,520 | $30,510 | +$1,010 | ||
| Missouri | $37,680 | $39,840 | $-2,160 | ||
| Montana | $40,900 | $46,340 | $-5,440 | ||
| Nevada | $45,490 | $51,400 | $-5,910 | ||
| New Jersey | $46,830 | $45,780 | +$1,050 | ||
| New York | $48,590 | $50,220 | $-1,630 | ||
| North Carolina | $38,460 | $38,400 | +$60 | ||
| Ohio | $39,010 | $38,480 | +$530 | ||
| Oklahoma | $35,930 | $44,960 | $-9,030 | ||
| Oregon | $49,830 | $48,300 | +$1,530 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $44,590 | $44,790 | $-200 | ||
| Rhode Island | $46,440 | $51,100 | $-4,660 | ||
| South Carolina | $37,220 | $36,320 | +$900 | ||
| Texas | $37,500 | $42,560 | $-5,060 | ||
| Utah | $39,840 | $40,810 | $-970 | ||
| Vermont | $47,130 | $47,860 | $-730 | ||
| Virginia | $43,200 | $37,280 | +$5,920 | ||
| Washington | $49,180 | $52,570 | $-3,390 | ||
| West Virginia | $36,720 | $37,910 | $-1,190 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Nursing Assistants vs Psychiatric Aides salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Nursing Assistants or Psychiatric Aides?
On average across all states, a Psychiatric Aides earns more than a Nursing Assistants. The national median salary difference is $1,459 (3.5%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Nursing Assistants earn more than a Psychiatric Aides?
A Nursing Assistants earns a higher median salary than a Psychiatric Aides in 16 out of 39 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Psychiatric Aides pays more in 23 states.
What is the median salary for a Nursing Assistants vs Psychiatric Aides?
The national median salary for a Nursing Assistants is $41,812 per year, compared to $43,271 for a Psychiatric Aides, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Nursing Assistants or Psychiatric Aides?
There are more people employed as Nursing Assistants. BLS reports approximately 1,448,920 Nursing Assistants positions and 33,860 Psychiatric Aides positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Nursing Assistants or Psychiatric Aides?
Both Nursing Assistants and Psychiatric Aides are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.
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