How to Become a Patient Care Technician in Indiana

Every state has some requirements to qualify to become a professional PCT and enter the workforce. On the whole, the basic requirements are more or less the same. These are-

• You must at least have a high school diploma or GED to be able to qualify for a training program.

• You must pass the criminal background check.

• You must enroll in a PCT specialized or similar Allied Health Care training program of your choice. Completion of the program with a full credit score will get you a certificate. If the school doesn’t have a PCT program, a CNA program and a CPR certification are the best after that.

• After completing the program, you have to take the certification exam by the NHA or National Health Association. If you get passing grades in the exam, you will receive your CPCT/A or equivalent certification. It’s an exam of 120 marks that you have to complete within 1 hour and 50 minutes.

• You must be listed under the Indiana Nurse Aide Registry.

Indiana is a state that makes a lot of practical sense for anyone looking to launch a Patient Care Technician career. The Hoosier State has a well-established healthcare ecosystem anchored by one of the largest health systems in the Midwest, a genuine and documented workforce shortage that is creating real hiring urgency at facilities across all 92 counties, a cost of living that makes entry-level healthcare wages stretch further than in most other states, and employer-sponsored workforce development initiatives that are among the most innovative in the country. For PCT candidates already living in Indiana — or seriously considering it — here is why 2026 is a strong moment to get started.

Ready to take the first step? Use the program search tool on this page to find accredited PCT training programs near you in Indiana and request your free information today. Indiana’s healthcare employers are actively hiring, and certification puts you at the front of the line.

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Why Indiana Is a Great State to Start Your PCT Career

IU Health — One of the Largest and Most Innovative Health Systems in the Midwest

Indiana University Health is the largest and most comprehensive healthcare system in the state, and it is one of the most forward-thinking employers of PCT candidates anywhere in the Midwest. IU Health is currently in the middle of a major expansion — constructing a new downtown Indianapolis medical campus, building out its Metro North Growth Strategy project with new hospital beds, imaging space, and outpatient centers in Westfield and Zionsville, and having nearly doubled the size of its IU Health Fishers campus with a new medical tower completed in 2025. That expansion is directly creating new PCT positions across the system. IU Health is also actively hiring new graduates across a variety of clinical roles statewide, including patient care technicians at multiple Indianapolis-area facilities and beyond. For PCT candidates who want to build their clinical career at a growing, financially invested institution, IU Health is one of the strongest employers in the region.

The Mosaic Center — A Free Career Pathway Right Into Healthcare

One of the most distinctive things about starting a PCT career in Indiana is IU Health’s Mosaic Center for Work, Life and Learning, which opened its permanent home in Indianapolis’s Indy Health District in 2025. The Mosaic Center provides free, integrated career and financial coaching specifically designed to help community members secure meaningful employment in healthcare — the sector where Indiana’s workforce shortage is most acute. The center serves people navigating life transitions, re-entering the workforce, building new skills, and overcoming barriers related to transportation, education, or housing. For PCT candidates in the Indianapolis area who need support beyond just training — real, practical help getting into a healthcare career — the Mosaic Center is a resource that very few states can match.

A Genuine Statewide Healthcare Workforce Shortage That Puts Candidates in Demand

Indiana is facing a real and growing healthcare workforce crisis, and that creates genuine opportunity for PCT candidates entering the field right now. IU Health’s own leadership has publicly acknowledged the shortage, stating that Indiana faces a growing workforce shortage specifically in healthcare and that addressing it is central to the system’s community mission. Indianapolis has always been a city of healthcare excellence — but like communities across the nation, it faces a profound challenge in having enough workers to care for every patient who needs them. That acknowledgment from the state’s largest health system reflects a hiring environment where qualified, certified PCT candidates are genuinely in demand — not just in Indianapolis but across the state’s regional and rural markets as well.

A Diverse Range of Major Healthcare Employers

Indiana’s healthcare market extends well beyond IU Health. Ascension St. Vincent operates hospitals and clinics across the Indianapolis and Evansville areas and actively recruits PCTs statewide. Franciscan Health — one of the largest Catholic health systems in the Midwest — operates 12 ministries and access points across Indiana and Illinois, with active PCT I positions at multiple Indiana campuses including Lafayette East, Munster, Dyer, and Crown Point. Community Health Network serves the Indianapolis metro with a multi-hospital system. Eskenazi Health operates as Indianapolis’s safety-net hospital and a Level I Trauma Center. Parkview Health anchors the Fort Wayne market. Deaconess Health System serves southwestern Indiana from Evansville. Together, these systems create a geographic spread of PCT employment options across every region of the state — from the urban Indianapolis market to mid-sized cities and smaller community hospitals in between.

One of the Most Affordable States in the Country to Live and Work

Indiana consistently ranks among the most affordable states in the United States for cost of living, and that affordability is one of its most meaningful advantages for PCT candidates. Housing costs in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, South Bend, Evansville, and smaller Indiana communities are well below national averages — meaning that even entry-level PCT wages go considerably further here than they would in states like California, Washington, Connecticut, or Colorado. For someone who is early in their career, building savings, supporting a family, or carrying student debt, Indiana’s cost of living provides real financial breathing room that higher-paying but higher-cost states simply cannot match on a net basis.

Accessible Training Programs at Community Colleges Statewide

Indiana has a well-developed community college system with PCT and CNA training programs available across the state. Ivy Tech Community College — the state’s primary two-year institution with campuses in virtually every Indiana market — offers health science programs that provide pathways to PCT certification at affordable price points. Vincennes University, Indiana State University, and numerous private training centers also offer allied health programs designed to get candidates into the workforce quickly. Many programs can be completed in a matter of months, and some Indiana employers — including IU Health through the Mosaic Center — provide pathway training and career coaching that can reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket costs for candidates who qualify.

Dialysis Specialization Offers a Clear Path to Higher Earnings

Indiana has a robust network of dialysis facilities operated by DaVita, Fresenius Medical Care, and U.S. Renal Care across the state, and Glassdoor data specifically identifies DaVita and Fresenius Medical Care as among the top-paying PCT employers in Indiana. Dialysis PCTs statewide earn approximately $45,914 to $49,185 per year — well above the general Indiana PCT baseline — making dialysis specialization one of the most accessible and effective strategies for boosting your income in this market without an additional degree. For PCT candidates who are open to specialization, dialysis is worth serious consideration from the start of your training.

A Proven Platform for Long-Term Career Advancement

Indiana’s healthcare system actively invests in the long-term career development of its frontline workers. IU Health’s Mosaic Center explicitly supports employees already within the IU system who are looking to skill up and advance — helping them move from entry-level support roles toward higher-level clinical positions. Ascension, Franciscan Health, and Community Health Network all offer tuition reimbursement and internal advancement programs for PCTs who want to pursue nursing or other allied health specializations over time. The clinical experience you build in Indiana — particularly at major institutions like IU Health Methodist, Eskenazi, or Parkview — is directly transferable and carries real weight whether you choose to advance within Indiana or eventually explore opportunities in other markets.

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

Indiana’s wages are an honest part of the picture, and going in with clear expectations helps you plan well. Salary.com places the Indiana PCT average at approximately $34,749 per year — in the lower-middle tier nationally — while Glassdoor data, which captures more experienced workers’ reports, shows a broader average of $42,893 per year with top earners approaching $55,422. Indeed reports $18.91 per hour statewide, and Indianapolis specifically averages $18.45 per hour. The gap between these figures and higher-paying states like California or Washington is real — but Indiana’s dramatically lower cost of living closes much of that gap in terms of actual purchasing power and day-to-day financial quality of life.

Entry-level positions at the most competitive Indiana facilities can favor candidates who arrive with their CPCT/A certification, current BLS, and supplemental skills like phlebotomy or EKG monitoring. Getting certified before you apply — rather than after — consistently improves both your hiring odds and your starting wage, and is especially worth doing if you are targeting a position at IU Health, Ascension, or Franciscan.

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Patient Care Technician Salary in Indiana — 2026 Numbers

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

Entry-Level PCT (under 1 year experience): Approximately $15 to $17 per hour / $29,000 to $34,000 per year Mid-Level PCT (2 to 4 years experience): Approximately $17 to $20 per hour / $34,000 to $40,000 per year Experienced PCT (5+ years): Approximately $20 to $24 per hour / $40,000 to $50,000 per year Statewide Average: Approximately $34,749 per year (Salary.com) / $42,893 per year (Glassdoor) / $18.91 per hour (Indeed) Indianapolis Average: Approximately $18.45 per hour (Indeed) Fort Wayne Average: Approximately $37,993 per year / $18.27 per hour (ZipRecruiter) Certified PCT Average in Indiana: Approximately $38,224 per year Top Earners (90th percentile statewide): Up to $55,422 per year Dialysis PCT Average in Indiana: Approximately $45,914 to $49,185 per year Top Cities for PCT Pay: Hobart, Whitestown, South Bend, Plainfield

Top employers for PCTs in Indiana include Indiana University Health, Ascension St. Vincent, Franciscan Health, Community Health Network, Eskenazi Health, Parkview Health, Deaconess Health System, DaVita, and Fresenius Medical 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 Indiana’s most sought-after health systems.

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Take the Next Step Toward Your PCT Career in Indiana

Indiana offers a practical, accessible, and genuinely rewarding environment to launch a PCT career. Between IU Health’s ongoing expansion, the Mosaic Center’s free career pathway support, a statewide workforce shortage that puts certified candidates in real demand, and a cost of living that makes your paycheck work harder than it would almost anywhere else in the country, Indiana gives you the foundation to build a meaningful healthcare career from day one.

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 Indiana, request your free enrollment information, and take the first step toward a career that makes a real difference. Indiana’s healthcare employers need qualified people — and the sooner you get certified, the sooner you can step into a role that truly matters.

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