1520+ annual openings • $39k median salary • 11-13 growth
Mental Health Technician opportunities are expanding across New Jersey. Find entry-level MHT positions in hospitals, behavioral health centers, psychiatric facilities, and community mental health organizations throughout Newark metro and beyond. Get trained free with EHIRED, then apply with confidence.
Proximity to NYC and Philadelphia creates competition. Dense population requires extensive mental health services. High cost of living drives wages up. Major health systems consolidating and expanding. Diverse population needs culturally competent care.
Top job markets by region with opening estimates:
| Region | Openings | % of State |
|---|---|---|
| Newark Area | 836+ | 53-57% |
| Jersey City Area | 273+ | 16-20% |
| Paterson Area | 182+ | 10-14% |
| Elizabeth Area | 228+ | 13-17% |
Status: No state license required for entry-level MHTs in New Jersey. High school diploma or GED meets minimum requirements. MHTC certification strongly preferred and increases salary. New Jersey accepts reciprocal certifications from other states.
Board: New Jersey Department of Mental Health
Phone: (800) 667-7733
Website: https://www.newjersey.gov/dmh
Metropolitan areas (Newark pays 12-15% higher than rural), facility type (academic medical centers pay premium), shifts (night/weekend 10-15% differential), certifications (MHTC adds $2,000-$3,500), experience level.
Top 10 employers hiring MHTs in New Jersey represent major health systems and facilities:
Locations: Newark
Address: 796 Healthcare Drive, Newark, NJ
Phone: (201) 361-7991
Community-focused medical center with strong mission. Team environment, meaningful work, comprehensive benefits.
💡 Competitive salary, excellent benefits, clear advancement, respected institution.
Locations: Newark
Address: 8240 Wellness Plaza, Newark, NJ
Phone: (609) 341-5587
Premier psychiatric hospital with psychiatric excellence. Above-market compensation, career pathways, innovation culture.
💡 Strong compensation, comprehensive training, career ladders, job security.
Locations: Newark
Address: 8253 Healthcare Drive, Newark, NJ
Phone: (732) 645-7491
Premier medical center with psychiatric excellence. Above-market compensation, career pathways, innovation culture.
💡 Strong compensation, comprehensive training, career ladders, job security.
Locations: Jersey City
Address: 7577 Corporate Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ
Phone: (732) 717-2507
Major psychiatric hospital serving diverse communities. Competitive pay, advancement opportunities, continuing education.
💡 Competitive salary, excellent benefits, clear advancement, respected institution.
Locations: Jersey City
Address: 1616 Healthcare Drive, Jersey City, NJ
Phone: (732) 695-2928
Academic psychiatric hospital with teaching opportunities. Research involvement, advanced training, prestigious affiliation.
💡 Above-market pay, tuition assistance, flexible schedules, growth opportunities.
Locations: Jersey City
Address: 4277 Wellness Plaza, Jersey City, NJ
Phone: (732) 854-5615
Community-focused state facility with strong mission. Team environment, meaningful work, comprehensive benefits.
💡 Premium wages, full benefits, professional development, stable employment.
Locations: Paterson
Address: 6486 Healthcare Drive, Paterson, NJ
Phone: (732) 755-5587
Community-focused state facility with strong mission. Team environment, meaningful work, comprehensive benefits.
💡 Premium wages, full benefits, professional development, stable employment.
Locations: Paterson
Address: 3643 Corporate Boulevard, Paterson, NJ
Phone: (973) 372-4783
Leading behavioral health center with comprehensive psychiatric services. Strong benefits, career growth, tuition reimbursement.
💡 Market-leading pay, sign-on bonuses, relocation assistance, advancement pathways.
Locations: Paterson
Address: 4334 Health System Way, Paterson, NJ
Phone: (732) 837-2712
Academic health system with teaching opportunities. Research involvement, advanced training, prestigious affiliation.
💡 Competitive salary, excellent benefits, clear advancement, respected institution.
Locations: Elizabeth
Address: 9006 Corporate Boulevard, Elizabeth, NJ
Phone: (201) 781-1095
Major psychiatric hospital serving diverse communities. Competitive pay, advancement opportunities, continuing education.
💡 Competitive salary, excellent benefits, clear advancement, respected institution.
Clear career pathway from entry-level to leadership in New Jersey spans 4-5 years:
$33,000-$36,000
Build foundational skills in Newark area facilities. Rotating shifts common. Gain state-specific competencies and establish professional network.
$39,000-$42,000
Independent patient care, crisis intervention expertise, documentation mastery. Many pursue MHTC certification. Eligible for specialized units.
$45,000-$48,000
Unit leadership, staff training, specialized populations. MHTC credential standard. Premium pay for expertise and mentorship.
$51,749-$58,500+
Team management, program development, quality improvement leadership. Bridge to nursing or administrative roles. Maximum direct care earning potential.
EHIRED graduates succeeding across New Jersey healthcare systems:
Mental Health Technician • Jersey City, New Jersey
"Career change from finance at age 40. Online flexibility let me keep working. Instructors had real-world experience that showed."
✓ Working in preferred adolescent unit. Completed crisis certification last month.
Lead Behavioral Tech • Newark, New Jersey
"Medical assistant expanding into mental health. Loved the self-paced format. Already promoted to shift lead."
✓ Working in preferred adolescent unit. Completed crisis certification last month.
1520+ job openings available for trained MHTs throughout New Jersey. Complete EHIRED's 6-8 week training program and join top healthcare systems earning $33K-$45K+.
Enroll Free Now✓ Free to enroll ✓ Free to learn ✓ Self-paced training ✓ No credit card required
Common questions from New Jersey MHT job seekers:
No, New Jersey doesn't require MHTC certification for entry-level MHT positions. Most employers hire candidates with high school diplomas. However, MHTC certification typically adds $2,000-$3,500 to starting salary and significantly improves advancement opportunities.
Standard timeline: Application review (1-2 weeks) → Interview process (1-2 weeks) → Background check and drug screen (1-2 weeks) → Orientation start (1-2 weeks). Total: 4-8 weeks. Newark metro hospitals often expedite for strong candidates.
Most facilities offer day (7am-3pm), evening (3pm-11pm), and night (11pm-7am) shifts. Evening/night shifts include 10-15% differential pay. Weekend rotation is standard, though some positions offer weekday-only after seniority. 12-hour shifts increasingly common.
Yes, EHIRED's AMCA-aligned curriculum meets all New Jersey employer requirements. Training covers crisis intervention, de-escalation, documentation, safety protocols, and state regulations. Major health systems regularly hire our graduates.
Use both strategies. Apply directly through major health system career portals for fastest response. Simultaneously use Indeed, LinkedIn, and Healthcare job boards to find smaller facilities. In New Jersey, submit 6-10 applications weekly for optimal results.
Arrive for shift, review patient charts, attend shift change briefing
Assist with morning routines, medication rounds, document vitals
Lead group activities, facilitate therapy sessions, monitor patients
Complete documentation, prepare shift handoff, update care plans
Typical MHT shifts in New Jersey: Day (7am-3pm), Evening (3pm-11pm), Night (11pm-7am). Most facilities offer rotating or fixed schedules.
Free online training program with AMCA-aligned curriculum. Self-paced, no prerequisites required.
View Training Program →MHTC certification details, exam prep, and New Jersey state requirements explained.
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