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”). No statewide license is required; most patient care technicians train through a certificate program and earn an industry certification before employers will hire them.
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Compare Patient Care Technician Schools in Texas
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CTK Healthcare & Career Institute | 65.3 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | 96% | — | 122 mi |
| 2 | Tarrant County College District | 60.6 | Contact school for pricing | $50,928 | 29% | Yes* | 109 mi |
| 3 | Dallas College | 60.4 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | Not reported | Yes* | 122 mi |
| 4 | Arlington Career Institute | 57.5 | Contact school for pricing | $36,508 | 75% | Yes* | 116 mi |
| 5 | Trinity Valley Community College | 55.8 | Contact school for pricing | $44,266 | 26% | Yes* | 135 mi |
| 6 | St Philip's College | 55.4 | $3,412 - $11,985 | $52,292 | 28% | Yes* | 131 mi |
| 7 | Southwest Texas College | 49.8 | $2,646 - $13,554 | Not reported | 32% | Yes* | 179 mi |
| 8 | The College of Health Care Professions-Austin | 48.2 | Contact school for pricing | $39,421 | 58% | — | 67 mi |
| 9 | Institute of Allied Healthcare | Not rated | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | Not reported | — | 127 mi |
| 10 | Texas Health School | 43.6 | Contact school for pricing | $40,621 | 78% | — | 169 mi |
Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.
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 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.
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 (2025 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 2025.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Median wage (Texas): $37,500 per year (based on related “Nursing Assistants” category) 1
Quick Answers About Becoming A Patient Care Technician in Texas
How do I become a patient care technician in Texas? Texas 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 Texas? 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 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.
Top Metros for Patient care technicians in Texas
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest patient care technician employment within Texas according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | 23,420 | $38,530 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | 19,230 | $37,970 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | 7,080 | $36,800 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | 5,600 | $38,550 |
| El Paso | 2,310 | $35,170 |
How to Become a Patient Care Technician in Texas
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Texas training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an accredited trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Texas that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
- Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
- Earn an industry certification. While Texas does not require a statewide license, earn CPCT (Certified Patient Care Technician) to meet employer expectations and improve hiring prospects.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Patient Care Technician Certification Options in Texas
Texas 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 Texas for details on certification preparation courses.
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 apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited 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.
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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) |