Nursing Assistants in Washington earn a median $49,180 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). This page lists patient care technician schools near East Wenatchee, sorted by distance, with program lengths, credentials, and local wage data so you can compare training options.
Key Facts
Washington median wage: $49,180/yr
National job outlook: +2.3% (2024-2034), ~204,100 openings/yr
Washington employment: 30,270 workers
Pay range (10th-90th pct): $42,500 to $62,660
Typical program length: 4-12 months (certificate/diploma)
Sources: BLS OEWS, May 2025; BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034; IPEDS / program catalogs, 2023.
Patient Care Technician Schools near East Wenatchee
How we rank schools – graduation rate, graduate earnings, cost and retention.
Advertising plays no part.
This page lists 5 schools
within 89 miles, closest group first, then ordered by
BOC Score with the highest at the top.
5 do not have enough federal
outcome data to score, and appear last rather than being hidden.
LOCAL RANK
Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate how often students finish
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry whether it paid off
25%
Average net price what students actually pay after aid; lower ranks higher
20%
Retention rate how many come back for year two
15%
Fully online availability whether you can study while working
10%
Scores come from IPEDS (2024) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Earnings are for all graduates of a school, not one program, so treat them as a signal
about the institution rather than about this subject.
Sponsored listings are paid placements and are labelled as such; they are separate from
this ranking and never change it. 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%
How to become a Patient Care Technician in Washington
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 Washington. Keep credentials current and verify any facility-specific requirements.
Patient Care Technician is not a state-licensed occupation in most states, including Washington; 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 East Wenatchee?
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 Washington?
According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (BLS OEWS May 2025), Nursing Assistants in Washington earned a median annual wage of approximately $49,180. Pay varies with experience, certification, and employer; the 10th to 90th percentile range in Washington was about $42,500 to $62,660 (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 Washington?
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)
