2. Dialysis Technician — $42K – $54K
Dialysis Technicians (also called Patient Care Technicians in the dialysis setting) run the actual hemodialysis treatment sessions at outpatient centers. Programs typically run 12 weeks of classroom instruction followed by extended on-site training at a dialysis clinic, and Fresenius and DaVita run their own training pipelines directly.
The Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission offers the CCHT credential, and the Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology offers a similar certification. Most states require certification within 18 months of hire per Medicare Conditions for Coverage that govern outpatient dialysis facilities.
BLS OES groups dialysis techs partly under health technologists, with pay ranging $42K to $54K depending on shift, credential, and clinic type. Weekend and evening shifts pay differentials, and home dialysis program roles at Fresenius and DaVita often reach the top of the range after credentialing.
