Does a PCT make more than a CNA?

Yes, a PCT earns more money than a CNA, in general. Patient care technicians earn slightly more money, making around $14 per hour than just under $13 an hour that certified nursing assistants make.

How long does it take to become a patient care technician?

It takes a few months to become a patient care technician. Patient care technician programs vary in length depending on the state, but they usually take several months to complete. However, most patient care technicians first become certified nursing assistants because many programs only allow those already trained as certified nursing assistants to enroll.

How much do patient care techs make?

Patient care techs make an average salary of $35,000 a year. However, this amount can vary depending on location and level of experience, typically ranging from $28,000 and $43,000 in annual salary.

Is patient care technician the same as a CNA?

No, a patient care technician is not the same as a CNA. While these roles are similar, they have subtle but significant differences, which are essential to understand what makes the positions distinct regarding job duties, educational requirements, salaries, and career outlook.

Patient Care Technician vs. CNA

A patient care technician performs the duties of a CNA but is also trained to perform some basic medical duties such as EKG readings and phlebotomy, while a CNA performs basic patient-care duties.

What is a patient care technician and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Jason Mott Ph.D.

A patient care technician is a healthcare professional who works alongside nurses and doctors to provide direct patient care in medical facilities. They assist with activities of daily living, such as bathing and monitor vital signs like blood pressure and heart rate. Patient care technicians also help with taking blood samples, collecting specimens for lab tests, and transporting patients between departments. They may also be responsible for maintaining medical equipment and ensuring patient comfort and safety.

What general advice would you give to a patient care technician?

Jason Mott Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Pre-licensure Program Director/Assistant Dean, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh

I think the best advice for new graduates is to be flexible. Things are going to change daily. It is essential to be able to go with the flow. Also, take time for yourself. As the numbers of covid patients increase, staff members are at high risk of developing burnout. It is essential to take time for yourself to relax and get away from everything, even if for only a few minutes. That way, you can prevent becoming burned out.

ScorePatient Care TechnicianUS Average

Salary

2.6

Avg. Salary $32,806

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

10.0

Growth rate 9%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.4

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.13%

Asian 6.43%

Black or African American 14.26%

Hispanic or Latino 20.09%

Unknown 6.17%

White 51.91%

Gender

female 80.95%

male 19.05%

Age - 30

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 30

Stress level

10.0

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

6.7

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

5.9

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a patient care technician?

Pros

Flexibility in scheduling
Variety of tasks, including taking vital signs, assisting with activities of daily living, and providing emotional support
Opportunity to work in different healthcare settings
Potential for job growth and advancement in the healthcare field
Competitive salaries and benefits packages

Cons

Physically demanding work
Exposure to illness and disease
Need to work long hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays
High stress levels due to the fast-paced nature of the job and the need to multitask
Limited upward mobility without additional education or certifications

Key steps to become a patient care technician

Explore patient care technician education requirements

Most common patient care technician degrees

Bachelor's

27.0 %

Associate

25.2 %

Certificate

17.1 %

Start to develop specific patient care technician skills

Skills	Percentages
Patients	23.81%
Vital Signs	9.13%
Phlebotomy	7.38%
CPR	6.44%
Direct Patient Care	5.36%

Complete relevant patient care technician training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New patient care technicians learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a patient care technician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real patient care technician resumes.

Obtain the necessary licensing

Becoming a licensed patient care technician usually doesn't require a college degree. However, you need to pass an exam to become a licensed patient care technician in most of states. 25 states require patient care technicians to have license for their work. You can see the list of states below.

State	Education	Exam	License url
Alaska	Degree required	Third-party exam required	Nurse Aide
Arkansas	Specific course required	Both state and third-party exams required	Nursing Assistant (Certified)
California	Specific course required	State exam required	Certified Nurse Assistant
Colorado	Specific course required	State exam required	Nurse Aide
Connecticut	Specific course required	State exam required	Nurses Aide

Research patient care technician duties and responsibilities

Manage care and prepare medical records, transcription and supply orders.
Manage daily care of high acuity patients with neurological trauma/disorders and post-surgery.
Qualify to perform patient care responsibilities on catheter patients.
Transport patients using wheelchairs and stretchers and assist patients to ambulate safely.

Prepare your patient care technician resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your patient care technician resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a patient care technician resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable patient care technician resume templates

Build a professional patient care technician resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your patient care technician resume.

Apply for patient care technician jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a patient care technician job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do patient care technicians rate their job?

5/5

Based on 2 ratings

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Patient care technician reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2023

Pros

Very fulfilling and rewarding

Cons

Hard work, not enough staff, mandated a lot. Under appreciated!

A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2022

Cons

All the changes with certification and how you can be on the floor of a facility and know not even common sense. How they have hospitality aides, hca, and people going to start a free class. Back in the day we were called glorified babysitters I never agreed until we have just a warm body with no license(s) whom can't do anything even as small as getting ice waters. I've worked hard tobe where i am and these people take a computer class and pass we would call that our continuing education hrs but what do i know after 23 yrs. I once REALLY loved my job and still do but it's almost like being in grade school with people who have phone's lol It bothers me that many new or non licensed bodies have the audacity to come in these facilities and act like the residents are on their time! We are in their home to help provide ADL's amongst other things like them still trying to be & keep their independence. The ridiculous amount they have to spend to have the care they get from some people makes me wanna die young!! Our system sucks unless its the government making the dollar. I just wish they'd spend an 8 hr shift in these facilities before signing off on some rules & regs. Im not political by any means but those who take the dollar should get to live and experience a day of what our elderly lived ones are forced to experience daily , monthly, yearly! In fact the state hasn't even done the 18 month annual expectation in over 2 yrs at the place im contracted at 👍way to keep up on stuff and by stuff I mean our elderly living human beans. People who deserve to be served on gold plates or at least gave better food then what they serve daycares and if not that at least for it to be at high minimum warm food !! In 23 yrs of being a CNA I can only try to write a book to get out all the things I've seen ,heard. & witnessed in the years.

5.0

A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2022

Pros

I like the Patient care part of the job. Seeing the patients get better and go home

Cons

Nothing

What is a patient care technician and how to become one

What general advice would you give to a patient care technician?

What are the pros and cons of being a patient care technician?

Patient care technician career paths

Key steps to become a patient care technician

Explore patient care technician education requirements

Most common patient care technician degrees

Start to develop specific patient care technician skills

Complete relevant patient care technician training and internships

Obtain the necessary licensing

Research patient care technician duties and responsibilities

Prepare your patient care technician resume

Choose from 10+ customizable patient care technician resume templates

Apply for patient care technician jobs

How did you land your first patient care technician job

Average patient care technician salary

How do patient care technicians rate their job?

Patient care technician reviews

Patient care technician FAQs

Does a PCT make more than a CNA?

How long does it take to become a patient care technician?

How much do patient care techs make?

Is patient care technician the same as a CNA?

Patient Care Technician vs. CNA

Search for patient care technician jobs

Patient care technician jobs by state