Patient Care Technician Jobs in California

Find Patient Care Technician jobs in California. 8200+ openings, $38k-$54k salary range, top employers Kaiser Permanente, UCLA Health, UCSF Health. Golden State opportunity. Free EHIRED training.

8200+
Annual Openings
$46K
Median Salary
12%
Job Growth
Self-Paced Learning
Free Online Training
Start Free Training

Start free with EHired Open Access Education. Build real-world clinical skills—vital signs, patient intake, infection control, fundamental and EKG overviews—then explore externships, jobs, and, upon completing requirements, the ability to challenge the AMCA Patient Care Technician Certification (PCTC).

✓ Free enrollment • self-paced ✓ Job & externship resources ✓ Mobile-friendly learning ✓ AMCA PCTC challenge support

Who this training is for

Ideal for candidates with prior patient care experience who need certification to validate their skills for California employers.

New to the field? If you have no prior experience, you must complete a Self-Managed 100-Hour Externship to build hands-on confidence needed to complete the program and prepare to challenge the AMCA PCTC.

Externship Disclaimer

EHired does NOT place, arrange, or supervise externships. All externships are self-managed. You are responsible for identifying and securing your own externship site at a hospital or healthcare facility. EHired provides state-specific resources and guidance, but placement is not guaranteed.

Open Access = Zero Tuition

EHired removes tuition barriers so you can explore healthcare training free. Pay only if you choose to register for a third-party certification exam.

Skills First, Not Just Test Prep

Train for real clinical workflows. When ready, you can challenge the AMCA PCTC certification once you complete requirements—our course is not presented merely as test prep.

Externships & Jobs

Use our state resources to identify externship options and entry-level roles while you study, so you can build experience.

PCT Job Market in California

California's healthcare industry serves the Golden State with diverse employment opportunities. Major health systems including Kaiser Permanente and UCLA Health compete for qualified PCTs. The state offers various settings from academic medical centers to community hospitals and dialysis clinics.

California's PCT job market features Kaiser Permanente as a leading employer with 800+ annual hires. UCLA Health and UCSF Health also compete for talent. Los Angeles Metro has the highest concentration with 30% of openings.

1,850,000
Healthcare Workers
341
Hospitals
#22
Health Ranking
142.2%
Cost of Living

PCT Clinical Skills You'll Learn

Vital Signs Patient Mobility EKG/ECG ADLs Assistance Infection Control Patient Safety Specimen Collection Patient Communication

Top PCT Job Markets in California

Region Annual Openings Market Share
Los Angeles Metro 2460+ 30%
San Francisco Bay Area 1640+ 20%
San Diego County 820+ 10%
Sacramento Valley 656+ 8%
Orange County 738+ 9%
Inland Empire 656+ 8%
Other California 1230+ 15%

PCT Salary in California

Entry Level
$38K
Median Salary
$46K
Experienced
$54K

Los Angeles Metro typically pays highest in California. Major health systems offer competitive wages with benefits. Night and weekend differentials add $2-4/hour. Certifications and experience increase earning potential significantly.

Top PCT Employers in California

California features major health systems competing for PCT talent:

Kaiser Permanente

Locations: Statewide (36 hospitals)

Address: Multiple California locations

Phone: (800) 464-4000

Leading California health system offering excellent PCT opportunities. Comprehensive benefits package. Strong career advancement pathways. Training and development programs available.

Hires approximately 800 PCTs annually

California's leading employer, comprehensive benefits, career growth.

UCLA Health

Locations: Los Angeles

Address: Multiple California locations

Phone: (310) 825-9111

Major California healthcare provider with multiple facilities. Competitive wages and benefits. PCT positions available across service areas.

Hires approximately 150 PCTs annually

Major California system, multiple locations, competitive pay.

UCSF Health

Locations: San Francisco

Address: Multiple California locations

Phone: (415) 476-1000

California healthcare organization providing quality patient care. PCT roles with growth potential. Strong team environment.

Hires approximately 120 PCTs annually

California provider, quality care, team environment.

DaVita California

Locations: Statewide (400+ centers)

Address: Multiple California locations

Phone: (800) 244-0680

Dialysis and specialty care provider serving California. PCT positions with specialized training. Consistent schedules available.

Hires approximately 120 PCTs annually

Specialty care, California coverage, consistent schedules.

Sutter Health

Locations: Northern California

Address: Multiple California locations

Phone: (916) 733-8800

California healthcare facility offering PCT positions. Competitive local wages. Strong community ties.

Hires approximately 200 PCTs annually

Local healthcare, community ties, competitive wages.

Cedars-Sinai

Locations: Los Angeles

Address: Multiple California locations

Phone: (310) 423-3277

Regional California healthcare provider. PCT opportunities in various clinical settings. Community-focused care.

Hires approximately 100 PCTs annually

Regional provider, community care, various settings.

Fresenius Kidney Care California

Locations: Statewide dialysis centers

Address: Multiple California locations

Phone: (800) 881-5101

Global dialysis leader with extensive California network. PCTs provide dialysis care statewide.

Hires approximately 205 PCTs annually

200+ centers, tuition reimbursement, excellent benefits.

California VA Healthcare

Locations: VA facilities statewide

Address: VA Medical Centers, California

Phone: (310) 478-3711

Veterans healthcare across California. PCTs serve veteran community. Federal benefits and job security. Mission-driven environment.

Hires approximately 150 PCTs annually

Veterans healthcare, federal benefits, mission-driven.

Select Medical

Locations: Statewide dialysis centers

Address: Multiple California locations

Phone: (916) 733-8800

California healthcare facility offering PCT positions. Competitive local wages. Strong community ties.

Hires approximately 205 PCTs annually

Rehabilitation focus, specialty care, post-acute settings.

California Community Hospitals

Locations: Statewide

Address: Multiple community locations

Phone: (916) 555-0100

Community hospitals throughout California offering local PCT opportunities. Neighborhood healthcare with competitive benefits.

Hires approximately 100 PCTs annually

Community care, local hospitals, neighborhood healthcare.

PCT Career Progression in California

Entry-Level PCT

$$38,000-$42,000

Vital signs, patient mobility, ADLs, basic patient care. Learning California's healthcare systems and protocols.

Experienced PCT (2-3 years)

$$46,000-$50,000

Advanced patient care, EKG monitoring, phlebotomy, specialty unit skills. Growing clinical competence.

Senior PCT/Lead (3-5 years)

$$52,000-$56,000

Team coordination, new PCT training, specialized unit assignments. Leadership responsibilities emerging.

PCT Supervisor/Advancement (5+ years)

$$56,000-$62,000

Unit charge roles or transition to nursing/radiology/other healthcare advancement pathways.

PCT Success Stories from California

M

Maria S.

Patient Care Technician

Kaiser Permanente, Los Angeles Metro

"Working at Kaiser Permanente has been amazing. The EHIRED training prepared me well, and the team is incredibly supportive. California has great opportunities for healthcare workers starting their careers."

Started at $38K at Kaiser. Building PCT career in California.

J

James T.

PCT - Emergency

UCLA Health, San Francisco Bay Area

"I chose UCLA Health for the advancement opportunities. The pay is competitive and the benefits are excellent. The Golden State is a great place to build a healthcare career."

Earning $46K at UCLA. Pursuing nursing degree while working.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about PCT careers in California:

What is the average PCT salary in California?

California PCTs earn $46K median salary. Entry-level starts around $38K. Experienced PCTs earn $54K+. Los Angeles Metro typically pays highest.

Who are the top PCT employers in California?

Kaiser Permanente, UCLA Health, and UCSF Health are major employers. DaVita and Fresenius offer dialysis specialty positions statewide.

Is there demand for PCTs in California?

Yes—12% job growth expected with 8200+ annual openings. Aging population and healthcare expansion drive strong demand across California.

What about PCT career advancement in California?

California offers excellent PCT-to-RN pathways. Major health systems provide tuition assistance. Community colleges offer nursing programs with PCT experience credit.

Which California region has the most PCT jobs?

Los Angeles Metro leads with 30% of California PCT openings. San Francisco Bay Area and San Diego County also have strong markets.

How do I start a PCT career in California?

Complete EHIRED free training, earn certification, then apply to California employers. Kaiser Permanente and UCLA Health actively hire new PCTs.

Explore More PCT Resources

PCT Resources in California

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Start Your Patient Care Career in California

California offers PCT careers with high wages and major system opportunities. 8200+ annual openings across the Golden State. Free training prepares you for hands-on patient care.

Start Free PCT Training Today