Patient Representatives
SOC code 29-2099 · O*NET-SOC 29-2099.08 · Medium preparation needed · Healthcare
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Patient Representatives pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$50,290
a year
Hourly
$24.18
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$58,710
$28.23 per hour
Middle 50%
$44,170 – $64,340
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$38,180 – $85,270
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
182,610
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
These pay and employment figures are for the broader BLS group “Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other”, not this job alone.
- 10th percentile
- $38,180
- $18.36/hr
- 25th percentile
- $44,170
- $21.24/hr
- Median percentile
- $50,290
- $24.18/hr
- 75th percentile
- $64,340
- $30.93/hr
- 90th percentile
- $85,270
- $40.99/hr
What does a patient representative do?
Assist patients in obtaining services, understanding policies and making health care decisions.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Coordinate communication between patients, family members, medical staff, administrative staff, or regulatory agencies.
- Interview patients or their representatives to identify problems relating to care.
- Maintain knowledge of community services and resources available to patients.
- Refer patients to appropriate health care services or resources.
- Explain policies, procedures, or services to patients using medical or administrative knowledge.
- Read current literature, talk with colleagues, continue education, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in the field.
- Collect and report data on topics, such as patient encounters or inter-institutional problems, making recommendations for change when appropriate.
- Investigate and direct patient inquiries or complaints to appropriate medical staff members and follow up to ensure satisfactory resolution.
How to become a patient representative
Preparation level: zone 3 — Medium preparation needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
The federal survey did not capture education levels for this specific occupation, so the preparation-level card above is the best guide to the entry route.
Common questions
How much does a patient representative earn?
The national median is $50,290 a year. The full range runs from $38,180 at the 10th percentile to $85,270 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a patient representative without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 3, meaning the typical entry route is most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening4.3/5
- Speaking4.0/5
- Reading Comprehension3.9/5
- Critical Thinking3.8/5
- Writing3.1/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service4.5/5
- English Language4.3/5
- Psychology4.0/5
- Medicine and Dentistry3.9/5
- Therapy and Counseling3.6/5
- Administrative3.5/5
- Sociology and Anthropology3.4/5
- Education and Training3.2/5
Transferable strengths: Service Orientation, Social Perceptiveness, Coordination, Persuasion, Complex Problem Solving.