How to Become a Patient Care Technician in Texas (2026)
Texas employs about 88,680 patient care technicians earning a median $37,500 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025; proxy category “Nursing Assistants”). Training as a Patient Care Technician here means completing CNA or PCT training plus CPCT; many PCT roles also require a nurse-aide listing.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Texas employs approximately 88,680 workers in the related “Nursing Assistants” category (SOC 31-1131), with a median annual wage of $37,500 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 Texas, including licensing requirements, 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.
At a Glance
- Training paths: PCT or CNA training (find programs)
- Typical timeline: CNA or PCT training plus CPCT; many PCT roles also require a nurse-aide listing
- Exam: CPCT and/or state CNA exam
- Median wage (Texas): $37,500 per year (based on related “Nursing Assistants” category) 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Patient Care Technician in Texas
How to become a Patient Care Technician in Texas? Complete CNA or PCT training plus CPCT; many PCT roles also require a nurse-aide listing. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.
How long does it take? Most people finish CNA or PCT training plus CPCT; many PCT roles also require a nurse-aide listing. Confirm current hour totals with the program and employer.
Do I need a license in Texas? Most states do not require a statewide occupational license. Employers typically expect CPCT and/or state CNA exam. See the licensing section below.
What do patient care technicians earn in Texas? The BLS does not track patient care technician wages separately. Based on the related “Nursing Assistants” category, the median annual wage in Texas is $37,500, with entry-level wages around $30,620 and experienced workers earning $47,500 or more 1.
How to Become a Patient Care Technician in Texas
- Complete CNA or PCT training. Many PCT jobs require a CNA listing plus extra modules (phlebotomy, EKG). This is not a registered apprenticeship.
- Earn CPCT if the employer requires it. Pass CPCT and keep any required nurse-aide registry listing current.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.
Patient Care Technician License Requirements in Texas
Patient care technicians often need a CNA listing plus CPCT. Confirm Texas nurse-aide rules rather than inventing a separate PCT license.
Typical path
Complete CNA or PCT training.
Earn CPCT if required.
Keep nurse-aide listing current if the state uses one.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.
Patient Care Technician Wages by Metro Area in Texas
Patient Care Technician Wages by Metro Area in Texas
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 ( OES data), nursing assistants wages in Texas vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | 23,420 | $38,530 | $40,700 | $35,850 | $49,090 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | 19,230 | $37,970 | $40,430 | $32,610 | $47,350 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | 7,080 | $36,800 | $38,460 | $30,800 | $46,110 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | 5,600 | $38,550 | $41,300 | $35,740 | $48,100 |
| El Paso | 2,310 | $35,170 | $35,490 | $29,070 | $42,970 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission | 2,140 | $33,990 | $34,390 | $28,250 | $42,380 |
| Tyler | 1,610 | $35,300 | $35,560 | $29,990 | $43,070 |
| Corpus Christi | 1,550 | $35,300 | $35,590 | $30,670 | $42,520 |
| Lubbock | 1,490 | $34,300 | $34,170 | $28,500 | $41,900 |
| Killeen-Temple | 1,480 | $36,120 | $39,070 | $30,900 | $46,450 |
| Waco | 1,480 | $37,290 | $38,790 | $30,310 | $46,540 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur | 1,200 | $35,110 | $35,570 | $30,320 | $42,920 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen | 1,070 | $32,110 | $33,330 | $28,240 | $40,850 |
| Longview | 1,050 | $34,510 | $34,490 | $29,780 | $39,930 |
| Amarillo | 1,000 | $36,700 | $38,210 | $31,050 | $48,360 |
| Wichita Falls | 950 | $37,870 | $39,540 | $30,310 | $47,760 |
| College Station-Bryan | 940 | $35,610 | $35,960 | $30,940 | $43,300 |
| Texarkana | 820 | $32,880 | $32,650 | $24,620 | $40,970 |
| Abilene | 800 | $37,460 | $36,310 | $28,870 | $43,050 |
| San Angelo | 610 | $35,390 | $35,950 | $30,160 | $44,490 |
| Sherman-Denison | 610 | $35,970 | $36,230 | $30,720 | $43,000 |
| Midland | 580 | $35,970 | $38,520 | $35,970 | $46,080 |
| Laredo | 510 | $35,120 | $33,610 | $27,760 | $42,470 |
| Victoria | 470 | $33,980 | $33,560 | $28,840 | $38,870 |
| Odessa | 410 | $36,250 | $37,610 | $31,160 | $46,080 |
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 .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for patient care technicians in Texas? Texas employs approximately 88,680 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 Texas? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Texas.
How much do patient care technicians earn in Texas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for patient care technicians in Texas is $37,500 (based on the related “Nursing Assistants” category), which is $2,030 below the national median of $39,530 according to BLS data 1.
Related guides
In Texas
Top local programs
- Best Patient Care Technician Schools in Abilene, Texas (2026)
- Best Patient Care Technician Schools in Alice, Texas (2026)
- Best Patient Care Technician Schools in Allen, Texas (2026)
- Best Patient Care Technician Schools in Alvin, Texas (2026)
- Best Patient Care Technician Schools in Amarillo, Texas (2026)
- Best Patient Care Technician Schools in Arlington, Texas (2026)
- Best Patient Care Technician Schools in Austin, Texas (2026)
- Best Patient Care Technician Schools in Balch Springs, Texas (2026)
- Best Patient Care Technician Schools in Baytown, Texas (2026)
- Best Patient Care Technician Schools in Beaumont, Texas (2026)
- Best Patient Care Technician Schools in Bedford, Texas (2026)
- Best Patient Care Technician Schools in Belton, Texas (2026)
Related trades & nearby areas
- Best Carpenter Schools in Texas (2026)
- Best Electrician Schools in Texas
- Best HVAC Schools in Texas (2026)
- Best Plumber Schools in Texas
- Best Plumbing Schools in Texas (2026)
- Best Welder Schools in Texas
Explore More Trades in Texas
- Electrician in Texas
- Plumber in Texas
- HVAC Technician in Texas
- Welder in Texas
- Carpenter in Texas
- Solar Installation Technician in Texas
- Auto Mechanic in Texas
- CNC Machinist in Texas
- Certified Nursing Assistant in Texas
- Medical Assistant in Texas
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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |