Patient care technician salary: how much does a PCT make?
A patient care technician (PCT) earns a median of about $39,428 a year, roughly $18.96 an hour, with most between $36,724 and $43,347. BLS doesn't publish PCTs separately; nursing assistants (CNAs), the closest BLS job, earn a median of $42,260.
PCT salary range
Salary.com, as of November 1, 2026:
| Pay level | Per year | ≈ Per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Bottom 10% | $34,262 | $16.47 |
| Lower 25% | $36,724 | $17.66 |
| Median | $39,428 | $18.96 |
| Upper 25% | $43,347 | $20.84 |
| Top 10% | $46,915 | $22.56 |
PCT salary vs. CNA and similar jobs
A PCT usually does a CNA's work plus some technical tasks such as drawing blood or running EKGs. BLS May 2025 figures for those jobs:
| Job (BLS May 2025) | Bottom 10% | Median | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing assistant (CNA) | $33,940 | $42,260 | $51,980 |
| Phlebotomist | $35,780 | $45,230 | $58,780 |
| Medical assistant | $36,050 | $45,690 | $59,310 |
| Licensed practical nurse (LPN) | $49,740 | $64,400 | $83,440 |
PCT salary by state
BLS doesn't publish state figures for PCTs. The CNA figures are the closest guide: the top-paying states for nursing assistants are Oregon ($49,830), Washington ($49,180), New York ($48,590), New Hampshire ($47,870), District of Columbia ($47,700). See the CNA salary by state table.
Patient Care Technician take-home pay by state (2026)
2026 federal brackets and standard deduction, Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% plus 0.9% above $200,000 ($250,000 joint), and each state's 2026 income tax. Local income taxes, state disability or paid-leave payroll taxes and other deductions are not included. Estimate only, not tax advice.
Common questions
How much does a patient care technician make?
About $39,428 a year at the median, roughly $19 an hour (Salary.com, November 2026).
How much does a PCT make an hour?
About $18.96 an hour at the median; the top 10% earn over $22.56.
Is a PCT the same as a CNA?
Not quite. A PCT usually has CNA skills plus phlebotomy and EKG training, and often works in hospitals.
Do PCTs earn more than CNAs?
BLS doesn't publish PCT pay. Salary.com's PCT median ($39,428) is close to the BLS CNA median ($42,260); hospital PCT jobs and night shifts often pay more.
What's the next step up from PCT?
Many PCTs become LPNs (BLS median $64,400) or registered nurses ($97,550).
Sources
- Salary.com: Patient care technician (PCT) salary
- BLS: Nursing assistants (31-1131)
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Nursing assistants and orderlies
Related
Last reviewed November 5, 2026. Salary.com figures are estimates; BLS figures are official May 2025 data for the jobs named. Figures are gross pay before taxes and benefits. General information, not career or financial advice.