Nursing Assistants in Oregon earn a median $49,830 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). This page lists patient care technician schools near Astoria, sorted by distance, with program lengths, credentials, and local wage data so you can compare training options.
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Key Facts
Oregon median wage: $49,830/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025)
Oregon employment: 14,800 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025)
Pay range (10th-90th pct): $43,210 to $61,310 (Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025)
Typical program length: 4-12 months (certificate/diploma) (Source: IPEDS / program catalogs, 2023)
Patient Care Technician Schools near Astoria
How We Rank Schools
We first gather the schools closest to the city or state page you are viewing, then rank that
local group by BOC Score, with the highest at the top. The BOC Score is computed from federal
IPEDS and College Scorecard data; schools without enough data to score appear last.
LOCAL RANK
Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry
25%
Average net price (lower is better)
20%
Retention rate
15%
Fully online availability
10%
Schools without enough federal outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score.
Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.
Nursing Assistants employment projection 2024 to 2034
Year
Employment
2024
1,441,500
2034 projected
1,474,000
Percent change
+2.3%
Oregon Quick Facts
Metric
Value
Source
Oregon median annual wage
$49,830
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Oregon pay range (10th to 90th percentile)
$43,210 to $61,310
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Oregon employment
14,800 workers
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Oregon location quotient
0.81
BLS OEWS, May 2025
National job outlook (2024-2034)
+2.3% growth, about 204,100 openings per year
BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034
How to become a Patient Care Technician in Oregon
Finish high school or earn a GED. Most accredited Patient Care Technician programs require a high school diploma or GED for admission.
Complete an accredited or state-approved program. Enroll in an accredited or state-approved Patient Care Technician certificate, diploma, or degree program that combines classroom instruction with hands-on labs.
Complete clinical or externship hours. Finish the required supervised clinical, lab, or externship hours to build real-world experience before you graduate. Confirm hour totals with each program.
Earn a recognized certification. Sit for a national credential such as the NHA CPCT/A. Certification is voluntary in most states but widely preferred by employers.
Apply for Patient Care Technician roles. Apply to clinics, hospitals, and healthcare employers in Oregon. Keep credentials current and verify any facility-specific requirements.
Patient Care Technician is not a state-licensed occupation in most states, including Oregon; national certification is voluntary but widely preferred by employers. Confirm any facility-specific requirements before enrolling.
Training Pathways & Clinical Hours
Most patient care technician workers train through a short postsecondary certificate or diploma that combines classroom instruction with supervised clinical, lab, or externship hours. A smaller number enter through registered apprenticeships or employer-sponsored training; confirm hour totals and clinical placement details with each program before enrolling.
What You Study
Patient Care Technician programs blend healthcare fundamentals — anatomy, medical terminology, infection control, and patient safety — with the hands-on skills specific to the role, practiced in labs and a supervised clinical or externship. Coursework also prepares you for the certification or licensing exam where one applies.
Tips for Choosing a Patient Care Technician Program
Confirm the program is accredited or state-approved for the credential you plan to earn.
Ask how clinical, lab, or externship placements are arranged and how many hours are required.
Compare day, evening, and accelerated schedules that fit your work and family commitments.
Review certification exam pass rates (if published) and ask about career support services. Individual outcomes may vary.
How long does patient care technician training take near Astoria?
Most Patient Care Technician programs are short certificate or diploma tracks that take roughly 4 to 12 months of full-time study; degree tracks (where they exist) run longer. Actual length depends on schedule, clinical hours, and any prerequisites.
How much do patient care technician workers earn in Oregon?
According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (BLS OEWS May 2025), Nursing Assistants in Oregon earned a median annual wage of approximately $49,830. Pay varies with experience, certification, and employer; the 10th to 90th percentile range in Oregon was about $43,210 to $61,310 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Is patient care technician a growing career?
BLS Employment Projections (2024-2034) estimate national employment for Nursing Assistants will change +2.3%, with about 204,100 openings per year, including replacements.
Do I need certification to work as a Patient Care Technician in Oregon?
This role is not state-licensed in most states, but many employers prefer or require a national credential such as the NHA CPCT/A. Confirm requirements with prospective employers and your program before enrolling.
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
Data
Provider
Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
