How to Become a Patient Care Technician in Kansas

Every job has some basic requirements that one has to meet in order to become eligible for it. Patient Care Technician is no different. In Kansas, the basic requirements are no different than in other states, but specific workplaces might enforce additional requirements.

• You must have a high school diploma or GED.

• You must have a clean criminal record so that you can pass the criminal background check.

• You have to enter a specialized patient care technician training program to gain the required knowledge and skills. The training programs will usually last from a few months to a couple of years at most, depending on the school and the degree. The courses will usually contain practice hours that you have to attend fully.

• Once you have received the training, you can try out for the certification exam taken by the National Health Association. You have to answer a total of 120 questions in 1 hour and 50 minutes in the exam. The training can be replaced by one year of experience in the field.

Kansas may not be the first state that comes to mind when people think about healthcare careers, but the Sunflower State makes a compelling and practical case for PCT candidates who are already here or looking for an accessible, stable, and genuinely needed entry into the healthcare field. The state is navigating a well-documented and serious healthcare workforce shortage, anchored by a nationally recognized academic medical center in Kansas City, and home to a statewide employer landscape that spans from major metro hospitals to rural critical access facilities where the need for qualified frontline staff is among the most urgent in the country. Add in one of the lowest costs of living in the nation and fast, affordable training pathways, and Kansas delivers a solid foundation for a meaningful healthcare career. Here is the full picture for 2026.

Ready to take the first step? Use the program search tool on this page to find accredited PCT training programs near you in Kansas and request your free information today. Kansas’s healthcare employers are actively recruiting — and a certified PCT candidate is exactly who they are looking for.

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Why Kansas Is a Great State to Start Your PCT Career

A Statewide Healthcare Workforce Crisis That Puts Certified Candidates in Real Demand

Kansas is facing one of the most significant healthcare workforce shortages in its history, and the numbers are stark. Current forecasts from the University of Kansas School of Nursing project a statewide deficit of 28,000 nursing assistants, 18,000 registered nurses, and 6,000 home health aides by 2026 — figures that reflect a systemic gap in frontline care capacity that extends well beyond nursing alone. The Kansas Hospital Association’s Annual Workforce Survey, collected in January 2025, confirms that Kansas hospitals continued to experience widespread workforce shortages in 2024, with an overall vacancy rate of 11.8 percent across all hospital jobs surveyed — still significantly above pre-pandemic norms despite modest improvement. While turnover has declined for the first time since its pandemic peak, the vacancy rate remains elevated. For PCT candidates entering the market right now, that shortage translates directly into accessible hiring, genuine employer urgency, and real job security once you are in the door — particularly in rural and regional Kansas markets where the competition for qualified staff is most acute.

The University of Kansas Health System — A World-Class Academic Medical Employer

The University of Kansas Health System is the anchor institution of Kansas healthcare and one of the most respected academic medical centers in the central United States. With hospitals and clinics throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area as well as locations in Great Bend, Lawrence, and Topeka, KUHS has a geographic reach that extends well beyond its flagship campus. The system has been consistently recognized for equitable and inclusive patient care, holding Healthcare Equality Index recognition for five consecutive years, and attracts students and healthcare professionals from across Kansas, the United States, and the world to train and work within its clinical infrastructure. The KU School of Health Professions class of 2026 is the latest cohort of healthcare graduates joining a system that is actively building its workforce pipeline at every level. For PCT candidates who want to build their clinical foundation at a nationally recognized institution, KUHS is one of the strongest employer options available in the entire Midwest.

Via Christi Health, Ascension, and a Statewide Network of Employers

Beyond the Kansas City market, Kansas’s healthcare landscape is anchored by Via Christi Health — part of Ascension, one of the largest nonprofit Catholic health systems in the United States — which operates hospitals and clinics throughout Wichita and the surrounding south-central Kansas region. Via Christi associates are eligible for tuition discounts and career development support as part of the Ascension system’s broader employee investment programs. Wesley Medical Center, Stormont Vail Health in Topeka, Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, and dozens of rural critical access hospitals across the state round out a healthcare employer landscape that gives PCT candidates options across every region of Kansas. The Kansas Hospital Association notes that demand for healthcare services continues to rise statewide, driving ongoing need at facilities from Wichita and Topeka down to small community hospitals in western and rural Kansas where vacancy rates are highest.

One of the Most Affordable States in the Country

Kansas consistently ranks among the most affordable states in the United States, and that affordability is one of its most powerful advantages for PCT candidates building a career on an entry-level or mid-range salary. Housing in Wichita, Topeka, Kansas City metro, Overland Park, and Kansas’s smaller cities and towns is dramatically more affordable than in coastal or mountain West markets. Grocery costs, transportation, utilities, and everyday living expenses are well below national averages. For a PCT earning between $34,000 and $45,000 per year, Kansas’s cost of living means your paycheck provides real day-to-day quality of life — far more so than an equivalent or even higher salary would in states like California, Washington, Colorado, or Connecticut. For someone early in their career, building savings, supporting a family, or paying down debt, Kansas’s affordability is a genuinely meaningful advantage.

Overland Park — A Standout Market Within the State

Overland Park, in the Kansas City metro area’s Johnson County, is the highest-paying PCT market in Kansas and one of the more competitive in the region. ZipRecruiter data shows Overland Park PCT salaries running approximately 10.9 percent above the statewide average — putting the market meaningfully ahead of most other Kansas cities. The Overland Park area benefits from its position in the Kansas City metropolitan corridor, where proximity to Missouri-side health systems including Saint Luke’s Health System and HCA Midwest Health creates a broader regional employer pool that PCT candidates in the area can realistically access. For Kansas-based candidates who want to maximize their earning potential while remaining in the state, the Overland Park and Leawood markets are the strongest targets.

Dialysis Specialization Is a Clear and Accessible Path to Higher Earnings

Dialysis PCT wages in Kansas average approximately $45,401 to $45,914 per year — well above the general Kansas PCT baseline of $34,474 — making dialysis one of the most straightforward paths to significantly better compensation in this market without an additional degree. DaVita, Fresenius Medical Care, and U.S. Renal Care all operate dialysis centers across Kansas, with Fresenius Medical Care specifically cited as one of the employers with among the highest PCT wage ranges in the state according to Salary.com data. For PCT candidates who are open to specialization, dialysis is worth considering from the beginning of your training and career planning.

Fast and Affordable Training Pathways Across the State

Kansas has a well-developed network of community and technical colleges offering PCT and CNA training programs at accessible price points across the state. Washburn University in Topeka, Wichita State University, Butler Community College, Barton County Community College, Kansas City Kansas Community College, Neosho County Community College, and Pratt Community College all offer allied health programs designed to move candidates into the workforce quickly. Many programs can be completed within a few months, and Kansas’s community college tuition rates are among the most affordable in the Midwest. The University of Kansas Medical Center’s School of Health Professions actively trains candidates across multiple healthcare disciplines and provides a pipeline of clinical talent that feeds directly into KUHS and other state health systems.

A Genuine Launching Pad for Long-Term Career Growth

Kansas’s healthcare system actively supports the advancement of its frontline workers. Via Christi’s affiliation with Ascension provides tuition discounts and career development resources. The University of Kansas Health System’s clinical training infrastructure gives PCTs exposure to complex, high-acuity patient care that serves as a strong foundation for advancement into nursing, respiratory therapy, or other allied health specializations. The Kansas Nursing Workforce Center — created by KU School of Nursing in direct response to the state’s workforce crisis — is actively working with employers, schools, and professional associations to expand career pipeline programs, including pathways that start at the CNA and PCT level. For candidates who see PCT work as the beginning of a longer healthcare journey, Kansas provides the institutional support to keep moving forward.

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What to Keep in Mind as You Plan Your PCT Career in Kansas

Kansas wages are an honest part of the picture. Salary.com places the Kansas general PCT average at approximately $34,474 per year, putting the state in the lower tier nationally. Indeed reports $16.82 per hour statewide, and ZipRecruiter data shows $16.50 per hour on average — below the national mean. The Overland Park and Wichita markets offer somewhat better figures, and dialysis specialization pushes the average to approximately $45,401 per year. The gap between Kansas wages and higher-paying states is real — but Kansas’s dramatically lower cost of living closes much of that gap when you measure what your income actually buys day to day.

Arriving for your job search with your CPCT/A certification through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), current BLS certification, and supplemental skills like phlebotomy or EKG monitoring will consistently improve both your hiring prospects and your starting wage — particularly at KUHS and Via Christi, where employer expectations for certified candidates are highest and where certification can meaningfully separate your application from the field.

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Patient Care Technician Salary in Kansas — 2026 Numbers

Here is a current snapshot of what PCTs are earning across Kansas:

Entry-Level PCT (under 1 year experience): Approximately $14 to $16 per hour / $28,000 to $32,000 per year Mid-Level PCT (2 to 4 years experience): Approximately $16 to $19 per hour / $32,000 to $38,000 per year Experienced PCT (5+ years): Approximately $19 to $23 per hour / $38,000 to $46,000 per year Statewide Average: Approximately $34,474 per year (Salary.com) / $16.82 per hour (Indeed) / $16.50 per hour (ZipRecruiter) Kansas City (KS) Average: Approximately $34,099 per year (Salary.com) Overland Park: Approximately 10.9 percent above statewide average — the highest-paying PCT market in Kansas Dialysis PCT Average in Kansas: Approximately $45,401 to $45,914 per year Top Earners (90th percentile): Up to $46,000 to $52,000 per year depending on employer and specialization

Top employers for PCTs in Kansas include The University of Kansas Health System, Via Christi Health (Ascension), Wesley Medical Center, Stormont Vail Health, Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, DaVita, Fresenius Medical Care, and U.S. Renal Care. Earning your CPCT/A certification through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) adds $1.50 to $3.00 per hour above base wage — an additional $3,000 to $6,000 per year — and is a meaningful differentiator when competing for positions at Kansas’s major health systems, particularly in the Kansas City metro and Wichita markets.

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Take the Next Step Toward Your PCT Career in Kansas

Kansas offers a practical, affordable, and genuinely purpose-driven environment to launch a PCT career. The workforce shortage is real, documented, and creating consistent hiring demand at facilities across all 105 counties. The cost of living makes your income stretch further than in most of the country. The training pathways are accessible and affordable. And the employers — led by The University of Kansas Health System and Via Christi — are well-established institutions with real career development support for frontline workers who want to grow.

Do not wait to explore what is available near you. Use the program search tool on this page to find accredited PCT training programs in Kansas, request your free enrollment information, and take the first step toward a career that makes a real difference every single day. Kansas’s healthcare employers need certified, motivated people — and the sooner you get started, the sooner you can step into a role that truly matters.

Start today. Find PCT programs in Kansas using the tool above and request your free information now.

Finally, you have to pass an exam in order to be listed under the Kansas Nurse Aide Registry. Then you can start applying for jobs.