How to Become A Patient Care Technician in California
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, California employs approximately 110,060 workers in the related “Nursing Assistants” category (SOC 31-1131), with a median annual wage of $47,630 1. Nationally, employment in this category is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 204,100 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a patient care technician in California, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.
A note on salary data: The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not track patient care technician salaries as a separate category. The wage figures on this page are based on the closest matching BLS classification: Nursing Assistants (SOC 31-1131). Actual patient care technician earnings may vary.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Patient Care Technician in California
How do I become a patient care technician in California? California does not require a state license for patient care technicians, but employers typically expect industry certifications such as CPCT (Certified Patient Care Technician). Complete a training program to prepare.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in California? No state license is required, but certifications such as CPCT (Certified Patient Care Technician) are expected by most employers.
What do patient care technicians earn in California? The BLS does not track patient care technician wages separately. Based on the related “Nursing Assistants” category, the median annual wage in California is $47,630, with entry-level wages around $40,110 and experienced workers earning $61,100 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Median wage (California): $47,630 per year (based on related “Nursing Assistants” category) 1
Patient Care Technician Certification Options in California
California does not require a state license to work as a patient care technician. However, industry certifications can strengthen your resume and may be required by employers.
Common certifications for patient care technicians include:
- CPCT (Certified Patient Care Technician)
For more information, visit the NHA - National Healthcareer Association 3. Contact training programs in California for details on certification preparation courses.
Patient Care Technician Wages by Metro Area in California
Patient Care Technician Wages by Metro Area in California
Note: The BLS does not track patient care technician wages separately. The data below is based on the closest matching category: Nursing Assistants (SOC 31-1131).
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), nursing assistants wages in California vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | 43,090 | $47,380 | $49,700 | $40,050 | $61,100 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | 11,790 | $56,080 | $56,700 | $46,700 | $70,540 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | 9,940 | $46,430 | $46,940 | $38,950 | $55,840 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | 9,670 | $48,070 | $49,780 | $40,420 | $60,510 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | 5,650 | $47,510 | $49,090 | $39,470 | $61,240 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | 5,350 | $56,840 | $59,370 | $47,340 | $77,040 |
| Fresno | 3,880 | $44,710 | $44,530 | $37,770 | $49,230 |
| Stockton-Lodi | 2,560 | $46,530 | $47,850 | $39,250 | $56,380 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | 2,070 | $46,800 | $47,660 | $39,540 | $58,560 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | 1,720 | $46,130 | $46,500 | $37,710 | $56,380 |
| Visalia | 1,530 | $46,810 | $46,630 | $38,740 | $55,120 |
| Modesto | 1,500 | $46,550 | $47,320 | $38,390 | $58,150 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | 1,250 | $49,240 | $50,260 | $42,610 | $58,550 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | 1,090 | $47,130 | $47,510 | $40,120 | $55,890 |
| Salinas | 1,070 | $48,870 | $49,390 | $39,900 | $57,040 |
| Vallejo | 940 | $48,900 | $50,690 | $40,320 | $62,550 |
| Chico | 790 | $46,380 | $47,040 | $38,860 | $56,620 |
| Redding | 760 | $44,880 | $46,110 | $37,010 | $60,180 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | 610 | $46,840 | $47,620 | $39,730 | $55,650 |
| Yuba City | 520 | $46,130 | $47,630 | $40,260 | $52,990 |
| Merced | 500 | $44,730 | $45,300 | $39,040 | $50,880 |
| Napa | 460 | $50,370 | $51,930 | $42,020 | $63,080 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | 440 | $47,940 | $49,290 | $39,110 | $57,720 |
| Hanford-Corcoran | 290 | $45,980 | $47,570 | $39,420 | $58,590 |
| El Centro | 240 | $44,670 | $43,670 | $37,280 | $47,190 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Patient care technicians in California
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest patient care technician employment within California according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | 43,090 | $47,380 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | 11,790 | $56,080 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | 9,940 | $46,430 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | 9,670 | $48,070 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | 5,650 | $47,510 |
Explore More Trades in California
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for patient care technicians in California? California employs approximately 110,060 workers in the related “Nursing Assistants” category 1. Nationally, employment in this category is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in California? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in California.
How much do patient care technicians earn in California compared to the national average? The median annual wage for patient care technicians in California is $47,630 (based on the related “Nursing Assistants” category), which is $8,100 above the national median of $39,530 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
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/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
NHA - National Healthcareer Association: https://www.nhanow.com/ ↩︎
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) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |