Patient Care Assistants, commonly called PCAs, are healthcare support professionals who dedicate their days to helping medical and nursing staff. They provide basic, direct care to patients in a variety of settings—monitoring vital signs, transporting patients, and listening to their concerns. PCAs, without a doubt, play an important role in keeping patients satisfied, safe, and comfortable, and therefore find their careers fulfilling overall. But what does the salary potential look like for a PCA?

If you’re considering a career as a Patient Care Assistant, read on. We cover the salary potential of Patient Care Technicians and Assistants below, along with other, related careers where you can make a difference.

How much do Patient Care Assistants (PCAs) make?

On average in the United States, Patient Care Assistants earn between $38,000 and $53,000 annually. The average salary for these professionals is about $45,000 per year, according to GlassDoor, though pay potential can vary significantly by state, employer, and one’s level of experience.

Patient Care Assistants with less than three years of experience will typically earn a starting salary in the $30 to $40,000 range, while those with more years under their belts will see figures toward the higher end of the above pay scale.

Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows similar salary potential. Categorized under health technicians, Patient Care Technicians in the United States can expect to earn a median salary of $45,000 annually (close to $22/hour).

What are the highest-paying states for Patient Care Assistants and Technicians?

Healthcare quality, environments, needs, and certification requirements vary significantly from state to state. As such, the salary ranges for Patient Care Assistants (PCAs) and Patient Care Technicians (PCTs) will change depending on where you choose to live and work.

Based on national data from the BLS, PCAs and PCTs can expect the highest salary potential in the following states:

1. Connecticut: Connecticut is the highest-paying state for health technicians and technologists, with a mean salary of $67,380 per year.
2. Vermont: $66,200 annually
3. Oregon: $62,960 per year
4. Washington: $61,160 annually
5. District of Columbia: $61,070 annually

What are the highest-paying work environments for Patient Care Assistants and Technicians?

Patient Care Assistants and Technicians can work in a variety of environments, depending on their interests and talents. For example, many PCA and PCT professionals will carry out direct, patient-facing duties in clinics and hospitals—helping nurses deliver care and conduct tests for patients in need. Some professionals, however, might also find work behind the scenes in laboratories, research, and even insurance companies. And some of the latter work settings offer high compensation in turn.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, health technicians like PCAs and PCTs can expect to see the highest salaries from industries like:

• Scientific research and development: $79,170 annually
• Junior colleges (i.e., education): $68,650 annually
• Federal Executive Branch: $66,540 annually
• Insurance carriers and companies: $65,250 annually
• Consulting services: $61,110 annually

Of course, you might be passionate about patient care—it’s in the job title, after all! Patient Care Assistants and Technicians who work in hospitals, laboratories, and emergency settings can still earn strong salaries. While they might not have as high a ceiling as the industries listed above, each of these critical workplaces offers an above-average salary of at least $50,000 per year:

• General medical and surgical hospitals: $54,750 annually
• Other ambulatory healthcare services: $53,660 annually
• Medical and diagnostic laboratories: $51,000 annually

What factors affect a PCA’s salary potential?

As we’ve covered, the salary of a Patient Care Assistant can range depending on where they work and how long they’ve been in the field. Below are some of the factors that can impact your PCA salary and make a difference of thousands:

Experience:

The more years you dedicate to patient care, the more benefits you’re likely to reap. When you just start out (post graduation, with no prior work experience), you’ll likely see a small entry-level salary. However, this is normal and can grow quickly! As you put in your hours and learn the ins and outs of the field, your salary will escalate. As you become more well-versed and consider working in specialized areas of patient care, you can expect higher pay, too.

Skills and Training:

If salary growth isn’t coming fast enough, consider developing your skill sets and pursuing certifications or training opportunities. PCAs who put in the extra effort to learn specialized skills like phlebotomy or electrocardiograms (EKGs), for example, will be rewarded through pay promotions or bonuses.

Location:

As you can see from our list of top-paying states, the Patient Care Assistant salary will depend on where you work. Certain states have higher costs of living, and therefore offer higher wages in turn. In some states with top healthcare ratings, jobs might be more demanding and competitive, resulting in higher pay.

Type of Employer & Shifts:

Different employers will have different pay scales. For example, large hospitals will pay PCAs more than small, outpatient clinics. Research facilities and diagnostic laboratories, which often require PCAs to have advanced skills and training, will pay more than traditional patient care settings.

Additionally, the types of shifts you pick up can make a difference. In hospitals, healthcare professionals who work overnight shifts, holidays, and weekends often get paid more (through overtime or other differentials) than standard, 9 to 5 workers.

Similar job titles to Patient Care Assistants & their salaries:

Patient Care Assistants (PCAs) often get confused with other career titles, like Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), medical assistants, patient advocates, and personal care aides. Additionally, Patient Care Assistants might be called Patient Care Associates or Patient Care Technicians, depending on where they work, or have titles like EKG Technician or Phlebotomy Technician, if they have specialized skills.

As such, you might see different salaries, depending on how you search. The example salaries below are sourced from the latest BLS data available (May 2024).

Certified Nursing Assistant Salary

CNAs earn about $39,530 annually in the United States.

Personal Care Aide Salary

Home health and personal care aides earn $34,900 per year, on average.

Medical Assistant Salary

Medical assistants’ salary potential can vary depending on their education level, but they generally earn an average of $44,200 per year in the U.S.

EKG Technician Salary

According to the BLS, Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians earn an average annual wage of $67,260.

Phlebotomy Technician Salary

Phlebotomists earn an average of $43,660 annually in the United States.

Take steps towards a rewarding career in patient care

If you’re considering a career as a Patient Care Technician, Patient Care Assistant, or one of the other titles above, one thing is for certain: You are passionate about helping people in need. These careers offer personal reward, allowing you to make a difference in the lives of patients, but also financial stability, with strong salary potential across a range of job titles.

The beauty of a Patient Care Assistant career, too, is that it requires little upfront investment. You can become a Patient Care Assistant within one academic year or less. At Goodwin University, the PCA certificate program can be completed in just two semesters, where you will:

1. Complete your Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training over seven weeks, and receive hands-on training in clinical settings. After earning your CNA license, you will then move on to part 2…
2. Gain specialized skills in phlebotomy, EKGs, and patient care over the next seven weeks of study.

Upon completion of our program, you’ll be ready to launch a successful career in patient care and start making a difference in the lives of others.

So, why wait? Get started today and build a career you love. Contact us online to learn more about the new Patient Care Associate program at Goodwin.