{"id":14227,"date":"2025-08-12T09:08:23","date_gmt":"2025-08-12T13:08:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goodwin.edu\/enews\/?p=14227"},"modified":"2025-08-12T09:08:23","modified_gmt":"2025-08-12T13:08:23","slug":"patient-care-assistant-salary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goodwin.edu\/enews\/patient-care-assistant-salary\/","title":{"rendered":"Patient Care Assistant (PCA) Salary Information"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\u2014monitoring 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<\/a> fulfilling overall. But what does the salary potential look like for a PCA?<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n

How much do Patient Care Assistants (PCAs) make?<\/h2>\n

On average in the United States, Patient Care Assistants earn between $38,000 and $53,000 annually<\/strong>. The average salary for these professionals is about $45,000 per year, according to GlassDoor<\/a>, though pay potential can vary significantly by state, employer, and one\u2019s level of experience.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics<\/a> 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).<\/p>\n

What are the highest-paying states for Patient Care Assistants and Technicians?<\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Based on national data from the BLS, PCAs and PCTs can expect the highest salary potential in the following states:<\/p>\n

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

    What are the highest-paying work environments for Patient Care Assistants and Technicians?<\/h2>\n

    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\u2014helping 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.<\/p>\n

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, health technicians like PCAs and PCTs can expect to see the highest salaries from industries like:<\/p>\n