What transporters earn, what moves the number, and how you can help build the profession's first real compensation dataset.
Figures below are approximate current ranges; actual pay varies by region, health system, union status, and shift.
| Role | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Patient Transporter (entry) | ~$15–$22 / hour | Plus shift differentials for nights and weekends at most systems |
| Lead Transporter / Dispatcher | Above base, facility-set premium | Coordination roles typically carry a step or premium over base |
| Supervisor / Manager | Salaried | Varies widely by department size and system; CHTS/CHTD credentials recognize these roles |
| Director | Salaried, leadership band | Department-level accountability for staffing, performance, and throughput |
Entry patient transporter roles in most U.S. markets currently range roughly $15–$22 per hour, varying meaningfully by region, system, and shift differentials. Leads, dispatchers, and certified transporters typically earn more; supervisors and managers are generally salaried.
Certification is increasingly referenced in job postings and clinical/career ladders, and departments with formal ladders frequently tie pay steps to credentials like the CHT. It also accelerates promotion into lead, instructor, and supervisory roles where compensation rises.
As hospital employees, transporters typically receive full health benefits, retirement plans, paid time off, shift differentials for nights and weekends, and - often overlooked - tuition assistance that many transporters use to advance within healthcare.
The profession has never had its own compensation survey. Ten anonymous questions - and participating departments see results first.
Take the compensation survey