How to Become A Patient Care Technician in Nebraska
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Nebraska employs approximately 16,450 workers in the related “Nursing Assistants” category (SOC 31-1131), with a median annual wage of $40,000 1. The state’s concentration of jobs in this category is 1.72x the national average, indicating strong regional demand. 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 Nebraska, 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 Nebraska
How do I become a patient care technician in Nebraska? Nebraska requires credentials such as Dialysis Patient Care Technician, Nurse Aide. The licensing authority is the Nebraska Dept. of Health & Human Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Nursing Support 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Typical requirements include approximately 19 years of experience 3.
Do I need a license in Nebraska? Yes. Nebraska has licensing or registration requirements for patient care technicians. The Nebraska Dept. of Health & Human Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Nursing Support oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do patient care technicians earn in Nebraska? The BLS does not track patient care technician wages separately. Based on the related “Nursing Assistants” category, the median annual wage in Nebraska is $40,000, with entry-level wages around $37,090 and experienced workers earning $48,980 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Nebraska Dept. of Health & Human Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Nursing Support
- Median wage (Nebraska): $40,000 per year (based on related “Nursing Assistants” category) 1
Patient Care Technician License Requirements in Nebraska
The Nebraska Dept. of Health & Human Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Nursing Support oversees patient care technician licensing in Nebraska 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Dialysis Patient Care Technician | Occupational DescriptionA Dialysis Patient Care Technician may administer hemodialysis under the authority of a Registered Nurse, licensed pursuant to the Nurse Practice Act, who may dele… |
| Nurse Aide | Occupational DescriptionA Nurse Aide (NA) is a person on the Nurse Aide Registry employed for the purpose of aiding a Licensed Registered or Practical Nurse through the performance of non… |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Patient Care Technician Wages by Metro Area in Nebraska
Patient Care Technician Wages by Metro Area in Nebraska
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 Nebraska vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha | 7,740 | $40,020 | $43,020 | $37,750 | $49,760 |
| Lincoln | 2,630 | $38,650 | $41,500 | $37,060 | $48,310 |
| Sioux City | 930 | $38,940 | $41,360 | $36,410 | $48,090 |
| Grand Island | 590 | $38,880 | $41,920 | $36,660 | $48,350 |
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 Nebraska
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest patient care technician employment within Nebraska according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha | 7,740 | $40,020 |
| Lincoln | 2,630 | $38,650 |
| Grand Island | 590 | $38,880 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for patient care technicians in Nebraska? Nebraska employs approximately 16,450 workers in the related “Nursing Assistants” category 1. Nationally, employment in this category is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a patient care technician in Nebraska with an out-of-state license? Contact the Nebraska Dept. of Health & Human Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Nursing Support for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Nebraska? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Nebraska.
How much do patient care technicians earn in Nebraska compared to the national average? The median annual wage for patient care technicians in Nebraska is $40,000 (based on the related “Nursing Assistants” category), which is $470 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Nebraska Dept. of Health & Human Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Nursing Support - Licensing Information: https://dhhs.ne.gov/licensure/pages/professions-and-occupations.aspx ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
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) |