Patient Care Technician Salary: 2019 Median Pay, Hourly Wages, and Influencing Factors

U.S. Patient Care Technician (PCT) Compensation (May 2019 BLS Data)

Median Annual Wage: $30,050

Median Hourly Wage: $14.45

Wage Distribution

Percentile	Annual	Hourly
10th	$23,520	$11.31
50th (Median)	$30,050	$14.45
90th	$42,220	$20.26

Factors Affecting Pay

• Geography: Metropolitan areas (e.g., San Francisco, New York) pay 20–40% above national median.
• Experience: Entry-level vs. 5+ years.
• Certification: CPCT/A (NHA), CNA, or phlebotomy credentials boost earnings.
• Setting: Hospitals > outpatient > long-term care > home health.
• Shift differentials: Nights, weekends, holidays often add $1–3/hr.

Benefits

Common: health/dental/vision insurance, PTO, retirement plans (401k/403b), tuition reimbursement, certification renewal support. Varies by employer.

Note: 2019 data; current wages are higher due to inflation and healthcare labor demand. Check BLS OES for latest figures.