Patient Care Technician Salary Guide
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Patient care technicians work directly with patients to help them stay comfortable and assist with their care. They work closely with the nursing team. Typically a registered nurse serves as their supervisor. Patient care technicians help ease the workload of nurses while supporting patients. Their duties may vary, but they usually nurture patients' needs and report any changes they see in their patients to the nursing staff. Specific responsibilities might include collecting samples for testing, checking vital signs, taking patients to other parts of the facility, assisting patients with tasks like going to the bathroom and providing emotional support.
How do you become a patient care technician?
The requirements to become a patient care technician vary widely based on where you work. However, the basic educational requirement is a high school diploma or a GED. Most states require you to complete a program to earn a certificate before working as a patient care technician. You can often find these programs at community colleges or technical schools. They cover the basics like anatomy, medical terminology, medical records and relevant laws. You also learn CPR, first aid and other technical skills needed to care for patients. Many states require a license or certificate you earn by passing an exam.
What credentials/licensing does a patient care technician require?
You'll likely need a state-level certificate or license to work as a patient care technician. Additional credentials can help you earn more and advance your skills. American Medical Technologists offers the Patient Care Technician (PCT) certification.
This credential offers four pathways for qualifying based on experience and education. You can also earn credentials if you specialize as a technician in different areas. For example, a phlebotomy technician can earn the Phlebotomy Technician certification (PBT) through the American Society for Clinical Pathology.
Average Patient Care Technician Salary
$43.08/hour
The average salary for a Patient Care Technician is $43.08 per hour. This is 1% lower than the practicing US average of $43.68.
Last updated on April 25, 2024. Based on active jobs on Vivian.com.
Salaries for Patient Care Technician compared to Allied Health Professional National Averages
$43.08/hour
1% lower than the practicing US average.
$43.68/hour
United States
Where do Patient Care Technicians get paid the most?
| State | Average Hourly Salary | Max Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia | $52 | $72 |
| Georgia | $37 | $42 |
| District of Columbia | $37 | $100 |
| New York | $33 | $100 |
| Colorado | $31 | $100 |
| Maryland | $30 | $100 |
| Pennsylvania | $26 | $100 |
What are the highest paying Employers and Agencies for Patient Care Technician jobs?
| Average Hourly Salary | Max Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|
| Sutter Health | $78 | $100 |
| Atrium Health | $29 | $29 |
| Saint Francis Healthcare System-MO | $15 | $15 |
| FirstHealth of the Carolinas | $13 | $13 |
Last updated on April 25, 2024. Information based on active jobs on Vivian.com and pay data from BLS and around the web.
Patient Care Technician Career Guide
Use our exclusive Career Guides to research the education, qualifications, skills and responsibilities for a variety of healthcare disciplines and specialties employers are hiring now.
Go to the guideTop Patient Care Technician Jobs
Patient Care Tech
- Saint Francis Healthcare System-MO
- Cape Girardeau, MO
Director - Patient Care Tech
- Sutter Health
- Alameda, CA
Director - Patient Care Tech
- Sutter Health
- San Mateo, CA
Lead - Patient Care Tech
- Sutter Health
- San Francisco, CA
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How can you increase your pay as a patient care technician?
Gaining as much experience and training as possible before working in the field could help you earn a higher starting wage. Entry-level requirements are relatively minimal, so going beyond these minimums may also give you a strategic advantage for coveted roles. Earning PCT certification can also bump up your pay. You could also specialize in a specific area and earn a credential in that specialty to potentially prompt higher wages.
How much does a staff patient care technician make?
On average, a staff patient care technician made $15.13 per hour, based on Vivian Health's salary data accessed on May 10, 2023. Some areas pay significantly more than these averages, but the specific rates largely depend on experience and job location.
Is patient care technician a growing career?
Based on May 2021 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for nursing assistants and orderlies, the projected growth is 5% between 2021 and 2031. The increasing number of older adults should boost demand for healthcare services, which could result in more positions for patient care technicians. Job vacancies may also become available as current technicians leave the field.
What type of employers/facilities have the most patient care technicians?
According to May 2021 BLS data, nursing care facilities top the list of employers with the most patient care techs on staff, with 34% working in this setting. State, local and private hospitals are close behind with 32% of employment. The final three types of employers were continuing care retirement communities, home healthcare services and government jobs.
Which employers/facilities have the highest pay?
Comparing pay among facility types, government positions ranked at the top, per May 2021 BLS data. Hospitals paid just a little less. The bottom three employers regarding pay were nursing care facilities, continuing care retirement communities and home healthcare services, all of which offer similar rates.
How does patient care technician pay compare to similar healthcare jobs?
Patient care technicians typically make less than similar healthcare positions. A certified nursing assistant made a little more than a patient care technician, with an average wage of $17.57 per hour based on data from Vivian Health on May 10, 2023. Phlebotomist positions are similar to patient care techs, but they focus specifically on collecting blood samples from patients. They made an average of $17.54 per hour per data available on the same day. Based on Vivian Health’s data, medical assistants earned significantly more, with an average hourly rate of $34.19 per hour.
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