Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links marked with (Ad). If you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more

Psychiatric Aides Salary in Pennsylvania: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Psychiatric Aides salary really buy you in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania is 3.8% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$44,790
Median annual (2025)
+4.0%
Real Purchasing Power
$46,559
COL-adjusted (RPP=96.2)

Pennsylvania Cost of Living Index

Pennsylvania's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 96.2, meaning prices are 3.8% lower the national average. A Psychiatric Aides earning $44,790 in Pennsylvania has the equivalent purchasing power of $46,559 in an average-cost US state.

PA: 96.2
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Pennsylvania's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $37,930 $39,428 +$1,498
25th Percentile (P25) $39,540 $41,101 +$1,561
Median (P50) $44,790 $46,559 +$1,769
75th Percentile (P75) $48,560 $50,478 +$1,918
90th Percentile (P90) $61,260 $63,679 +$2,419
Key Insight

A Psychiatric Aides in Pennsylvania earns $44,790 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 4% further — like earning $46,559 in an average-cost state. This makes Pennsylvania one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Pennsylvania Sits Near the National Cost Benchmark

RPP 96.2

With an RPP of 96.2, Pennsylvania is within a few percent of the national cost-of-living baseline. Salary adjustment for Psychiatric Aides is therefore minor — what you earn is close to what you'd keep in real purchasing power.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

+4.0%

After applying Pennsylvania's RPP, the $44,790 median salary translates to $46,559 in real terms — a 4.0% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Psychiatric Aides.

Above-Median Adjusted Pay

#15 / 39

Pennsylvania sits at #15 of 39 states for Psychiatric Aides COL-adjusted salary — comfortably above the national midpoint.

Best States for Psychiatric Aides (After Cost of Living)

Where does Psychiatric Aides salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$56,335
RPP 97.7
2. Nevada
$53,319
RPP 96.4
3. Montana
$51,317
RPP 90.3
$50,630
RPP 88.8
$49,036
RPP 93.4
$48,990
RPP 105.0
7. Indiana
$48,867
RPP 91.8
$48,806
RPP 104.7
9. Alaska
$48,333
RPP 102.0
10. Illinois
$48,045
RPP 101.3

Pennsylvania ranks #15 out of 39 states for Psychiatric Aides after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Psychiatric Aides take-home pay in Pennsylvania after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Psychiatric Aides in Pennsylvania after cost of living?

A Psychiatric Aides in Pennsylvania earns a median salary of $44,790 per year. After adjusting for Pennsylvania's cost of living (RPP=96.2), the real purchasing power is $46,559 — a +4.0% difference.

Is Pennsylvania expensive to live in?

Pennsylvania's cost of living is 3.8% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Pennsylvania is 96.2 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Psychiatric Aides in Pennsylvania: $44,790 x (100 / 96.2) = $46,559. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Psychiatric Aides in Pennsylvania financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Psychiatric Aides in Pennsylvania enjoys 4.0% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

What To Do Next

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Related Salary Pages

Get Monthly Salary Insights & Career Data

Free data-driven career updates — no spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Join career-minded Americans who use data to make smarter decisions. Privacy Policy