Most professionals like you might be aware that the work location will play a major role in how much you can earn as a patient care technician.
As a healthcare professional, your patient care technician salary can vary depending on the state where you want to work. You need to understand that some locations may offer considerably higher pay than other states.
Knowing about the top states with high patient care technician pay can help you choose job opportunities that may offer better compensation for professional growth.
If you are researching top states and which state to choose to work as a patient care technician, comparing salaries can give you a better idea to make a planned decision.
In this blog, you will be knowing about the top states with good patient care technician salaries in the U.S.A.
Why do patient care technicians earn more in some states?
There are multiple reasons why patient care technicians may earn higher salaries in some states.
This can be because employers value skills, growing patient demand, experience, and demand for professionals with relevant certifications.
For example, if you are an experienced professional with skills such as EKGs, your salary prospects may be higher.
If you also have certifications such as CPCT/A or CNA, your salary prospects will be high, and recruiters will choose you to work with their facility.
Many states have hospitals and clinics that are actively looking for skilled staff with certifications. These factors can help explain why PCT salaries differ from one state to another.
Having the right certifications can make your PCT application stronger. The table below lists some of the key certifications that can help you stand out to employers.
Certifications that support your PCT career
Name of certification | Issuing body |
Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant (CPCT/A) | National Healthcareer Association (NHA) |
National Certified Patient Care Technician (NCPCT) | National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) |
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) | State-approved nursing aide program or state regulatory agency |
Basic Life Support (BLS) | American Heart Association (AHA) |
Certified EKG Technician (CET) | National Healthcareer Association (NHA) |
Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) | National Healthcareer Association (NHA) |
New York
It is a well-known fact that New York has a world-class healthcare system. The state is home to nationally ranked hospitals and leading medical centers.
These hospitals, with modern equipment, create a strong healthcare system and steady demand for patient care technicians.
As a working professional looking for better-paying states, you should know that if you apply for patient care technician jobs in New York, you will work with a diverse patient population. This advantage can help you learn multiple new skills.
Along with these facts, you may also have opportunities to handle modern healthcare equipment, which allows you to gain more experience in your professional career.
All these factors can help you improve your career prospects and prepare for higher-paying positions. Another reason to apply for patient care technician jobs in New York is an attractive salary.
By working in New York, your PCT salary will be around $50,864 per year, or about $24 per hour. Having competitive pay and opportunities makes New York a good place to work.
Massachusetts
Are you planning to strengthen your clinical skills while working in a learning-focused environment?
Massachusetts is a good choice because it has a strong connection to medical education and gives you opportunities to learn from experienced healthcare teams.
This professional exposure can help you improve skills such as patient care, monitoring, and working as part of a clinical team.
Having these skills on your resume can add practical value to your application and help you compete for better PCT positions.
Before choosing Massachusetts as your workplace, you can compare the patient care technician salary with other locations. In Massachusetts, you can earn around $54,340 per year. This well-paid salary gives you the opportunity to lead a comfortable life.
Washington
Many job seekers are interested in working in Washington as it stands out for PCTs because the state has specific labor protections.
The state is covered by laws that limit mandatory overtime and protect employees’ meal and rest breaks.
These employee-friendly protections can give you more clarity about the work hours and breaks when choosing an employer.
One more added advantage of working in Washington is that it provides most employees with paid sick leave.
If you are planning to apply for patient care technician jobs in Washington, you will also get paid time off.
If you are wondering about patient care technician salaries in Washington, it is around $26.53 per hour and $54,126 per year. Washington is always an appealing state because of the overall package and workplace protections.
California
California is a strong choice for patient care technician jobs if you want to build your career.
It is a state that constantly invests in its healthcare workforce. These investments can give you more opportunities to develop your skills and move toward better healthcare roles.
Working in California can support your professional career, as it has multiple facilities that offer training and certification opportunities.
Working in California will also provide financial growth in your career, as you can receive a patient care technician salary of around $51,000 per year and $24 per hour.
California can be a good place to earn certifications and build experience while earning a competitive patient care tech salary.
Illinois
Are you planning to work as a patient care technician in a specific area?
If yes, choosing Illinois is a good choice for you.
You can choose PCT jobs in the state that have good opportunities in specific areas such as cardiac care, emergency care, neonatal care, and dialysis.
Choosing a specialty can help enhance your skills instead of having only general patient care experience on your resume.
For these reasons, most professionals want to work as patient care technicians in Illinois.
Illinois is also known for its growing regional healthcare workforce needs. These needs can create opportunities for you if you are a trained healthcare professional.
Illinois also has a good patient care technician salary of around $46,000 per year, or about $22 per hour.
Top skills that can help you land a PCT job
You must understand that planning for a job change involves more than comparing salaries.
Your skills and professional experience play an important role when applying for a new PCT position.
Having patient care skills such as taking vital signs and monitoring patients can make your application a stronger one.
The table below highlights the key skills you should focus on when preparing for your next PCT job in top-paying states.
Partner with the right platform to advance your career
Knowing about patient care technician pay is important, as it can help you make planned career decisions.
Once you understand the top locations or states for your next job. You will need to take time to learn how to land in your desired location for work. To make this process easy, you need to choose a staffing partner who can assist you in this process.
During your research to choose staffing partners, you need to understand that choosing modern staffing platforms is a better option.
Hiring platforms such as MedCadre can help you find positions that offer competitive pay. This platform also helps you find verified job postings and opportunities across the country.
MedCadre brings you multiple benefits, such as:
- A transparent pay model that gives you a detailed understanding of your salary.
- A modern credentialing system that is 30% faster than traditional agencies.
- An integrated timesheet and payroll process that supports timely approvals and payments.
Healthcare professionals like you can search current job openings and apply for roles that match their qualifications.
Professionals can also submit their resumes to receive updates about new opportunities that align with their career goals.
FAQs
What can affect my PCT salary?
Factors such as your experience, skills, certifications, and employer can all affect your pay. Working in a higher-paying location may also increase your salary.
What should I check before accepting a PCT job?
As a job seeker, you must look at the salary, work schedule, job duties, and opportunities to learn new skills. These details can help you decide whether the position fits your career goals.
How can I make my PCT resume stronger?
It is essential to highlight your hands-on experience, certifications, and any specialized training you have completed. You should also mention equipment or procedures you are comfortable using.
Can I find PCT jobs in different locations through MedCadre?
Yes. MedCadre offers healthcare job opportunities across different locations. This can help you apply to roles and locations that fit best for you.
Does MedCadre offer different types of employment?
Yes. MedCadre lists contract, travel, and full-time types of healthcare positions. This gives you the option to look for a role that fits your career plans.
