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Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians

Summary

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Video transcript available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOAVE3gupq8.
Quick Facts: Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
2024 Median Pay $67,260 per year
$32.34 per hour
Typical Entry-Level Education Associate's degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation None
On-the-job Training None
Number of Jobs, 2024 64,700
Job Outlook, 2024–34 3% (As fast as average)
Employment Change, 2024–34 1,900

What Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians Do

Cardiovascular technologists and technicians conduct tests and assist in procedures involving the heart or lungs.

Work Environment

Most cardiovascular technologists and technicians work in healthcare settings, such as hospitals and physicians’ offices. Although most are full time, part-time work is common.

How to Become a Cardiovascular Technologist or Technician

Cardiovascular technologists and technicians typically need formal education, such as an associate’s degree or a postsecondary certificate. Some workers need a license or certification.

Pay

The median annual wage for cardiovascular technologists and technicians was $67,260 in May 2024.

Job Outlook

Employment of cardiovascular technologists and technicians is projected to grow 3 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

About 3,800 openings for cardiovascular technologists and technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

State & Area Data

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for cardiovascular technologists and technicians.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of cardiovascular technologists and technicians with similar occupations.

More Information, Including Links to O*NET

Learn more about cardiovascular technologists and technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

What Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians Do About this section

A cardiovascular technician looking at a computer screen while a patient walks on a treadmill during a stress test
Cardiovascular technologists and technicians monitor patients during testing.

Cardiovascular technologists and technicians conduct tests and assist in procedures involving the heart or lungs. They work closely with physicians and surgeons, who use the test results to assess and diagnose medical conditions.

Duties

Cardiovascular technologists and technicians typically do the following:

  • Prepare patients by explaining the procedure to them and answering their questions
  • Prepare exam rooms and maintain test equipment
  • Properly position patients for testing and procedures
  • Operate equipment to conduct tests
  • Review test results to check for quality
  • Analyze results for abnormalities and other diagnostic information and provide a summary of findings to physicians
  • Record findings and keep track of patients’ records

Cardiovascular technologists and technicians perform a variety of tests for diagnostic, therapeutic, or research purposes. They may specialize in a particular type of test or help with specific types of procedures.

The following are types of cardiovascular technologists and technicians:

Cardiovascular invasive specialists, also known as cardiac catheterization technologists or cardiovascular technologists, monitor patients’ heart rates and help physicians in diagnosing and treating heart problems. They assist with cardiac catheterization, which involves threading a catheter through a patient’s artery to the heart. They also prepare and monitor patients during open-heart surgery and during insertion of pacemakers, defibrillators, and stents. Technologists may prepare patients for procedures by shaving and cleansing the area into which the catheter will be inserted and by administering topical anesthesia. During the procedure, they monitor the patient’s blood pressure and heart rate.

Cardiographic or electrocardiogram (EKG) technicians specialize in EKG testing. EKG machines monitor the heart’s performance through electrodes attached to a patient’s chest, arms, and legs. Tests record heart metrics while the patient is at rest or is physically active, such as walking on a treadmill.

Pulmonary function technologists monitor and test patients’ lungs and breathing. For example, they use a spirometer to measure how much and how fast patients can inhale or exhale. These technologists help physicians in diagnosing and treating problems of the pulmonary system.

For information about workers who operate ultrasound equipment to create images of inside the body, including the heart, blood vessels, and lungs, see the profile on diagnostic medical sonographers.

Work Environment About this section

A cardiovascular technician taking the blood pressure of a patient with electrodes attached to his chest
Cardiovascular technologists and technicians usually work in healthcare settings.

Cardiovascular technologists and technicians held about 64,700 jobs in 2024. The largest employers of cardiovascular technologists and technicians were as follows:

Hospitals; state, local, and private 75%
Offices of physicians 13
Self-employed workers 4
Outpatient care centers 2
Medical and diagnostic laboratories 2

Cardiovascular technologists and technicians work in healthcare settings. They may need to stand for long periods and to lift or turn patients who are ill or disabled.

Cardiovascular technologists and technicians work as part of a healthcare team that includes physicians and surgeons, registered nurses, and respiratory therapists.

Work Schedules

Most cardiovascular technologists and technicians work full time, although part-time work is common. Because they may work in medical facilities that are always open, they may have shifts that include evenings, weekends, or overnights.

How to Become a Cardiovascular Technologist or Technician About this section

A cardiovascular technologist looking at an EKG machine
Cardiovascular education programs typically include a clinical component in which students work in a medical facility.

Cardiovascular technologists and technicians typically need formal education, such as an associate’s degree or a postsecondary certificate. Some workers need a license or certification.

Education

High school students who are interested in becoming a cardiovascular technologist or technician should take classes in anatomy, physiology, physics, and math.

Cardiovascular technologists and technicians typically need at least an associate’s degree or a certificate in cardiovascular technology or a related field.

EKG technicians may qualify for entry-level jobs with a high school diploma or the equivalent. Certificate programs for EKG technicians are generally completed in under a year.

Education programs for cardiovascular technologists and technicians usually include courses in anatomy, medical terminology, and applied sciences. Programs also typically include a clinical component in which students earn credit while working under the direction of an experienced worker in a hospital, physician’s office, or other setting.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Some cardiovascular technologists and technicians need a state-issued license. Information on state licensing board requirements is available from CareerOneStop.

Employers may require or prefer that these workers earn professional certification, which helps to show competency in the field. Information on certifications is available from CareerOneStop.

These workers also may need basic life support (BLS) or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification.

Important Qualities

The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page.

Communication skills. Cardiovascular technologists and technicians must be able to clearly explain tests and procedures to patients. They also must convey information to physicians and other members of the healthcare team.

Detail oriented. Cardiovascular technologists and technicians must follow precise instructions to obtain the test results needed to diagnose and treat patients.

Interpersonal skills. Cardiovascular technologists and technicians must be able to work well as part of a team. They also should be supportive and empathetic in their interactions with patients.

Physical stamina. Cardiovascular technologists and technicians stand for long periods and must be able to lift and move patients who need assistance.

Technical skills. Cardiovascular technologists and technicians must understand how to operate complex machinery and computerized instruments.

Pay About this section

Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians

Median annual wages, May 2024

Cardiovascular technologists and technicians

$67,260

Health technologists and technicians

$54,270

Total, all occupations

$49,500

 

Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics

The median annual wage for cardiovascular technologists and technicians was $67,260 in May 2024. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $37,890, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $108,900.

In May 2024, the median annual wages for cardiovascular technologists and technicians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Outpatient care centers $93,100
Medical and diagnostic laboratories 79,730
Offices of physicians 70,980
Hospitals; state, local, and private 65,270

Most cardiovascular technologists and technicians work full time, although part-time work is common. Because they may work in medical facilities that are always open, they may have shifts that include evenings, weekends, or overnights.

Job Outlook About this section

Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians

Percent change in employment, projected 2024–34

Health technologists and technicians

6%

Cardiovascular technologists and technicians

3%

Total, all occupations

3%

 

Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program

Employment of cardiovascular technologists and technicians is projected to grow 3 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

About 3,800 openings for cardiovascular technologists and technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

The need to diagnose medical conditions that affect older adults, such as coronary artery disease, will likely increase as the population continues to age. Moreover, as the prevalence of cardiovascular disease grows, demand for cardiac tests and procedures is likely to increase. These factors are expected to contribute to employment growth of cardiovascular technologists and technicians.

Employment projections data for cardiovascular technologists and technicians, 2024–34
Occupational Title SOC Code Employment, 2024 Projected Employment, 2034 Change, 2024–34 Employment by Industry
Percent Numeric

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program

Cardiovascular technologists and technicians

 29-2031 64,700 66,600 3 1,900 Get data

State & Area Data About this section

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)

The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link below goes to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Use the dropdown boxes to select an occupation.

Projections Central

Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.org. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved.

CareerOneStop

CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.

Similar Occupations About this section

This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of cardiovascular technologists and technicians.

Occupation Job Duties ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION Help on Entry-Level Education 2024 MEDIAN PAY Help on Median Pay
Medical and clinical laboratory technologists and technicians Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians

Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians perform medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.

 Bachelor's degree $61,890
Diagnostic medical sonographers Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

Diagnostic medical sonographers operate ultrasound equipment to create images of inside the body.

 Associate's degree $89,340
Nuclear medicine technologists Nuclear Medicine Technologists

Nuclear medicine technologists prepare and administer radioactive drugs for imaging or treatment.

 Associate's degree $97,020
Radiation therapists Radiation Therapists

Radiation therapists administer doses of radiation to patients who have cancer or other serious diseases.

 Associate's degree $101,990
Radiologic technologists Radiologic and MRI Technologists

Radiologic technologists perform diagnostic imaging examinations on patients. MRI technologists operate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners to create diagnostic images.

 Associate's degree $78,980
Registered nurses Registered Nurses

Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care and educate patients and the public about various health conditions.

 Bachelor's degree $93,600
Respiratory therapists Respiratory Therapists

Respiratory therapists care for patients who have trouble breathing—for example, because of a chronic condition such as asthma.

 Associate's degree $80,450
Surgical technologists Surgical Assistants and Technologists

Surgical assistants and technologists help with surgical operations.

 Postsecondary nondegree award $62,480
Suggested citation:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/cardiovascular-technologists-and-technicians.htm (visited August 28, 2025).

Last Modified Date: Thursday, August 28, 2025

What They Do

The What They Do tab describes the typical duties and responsibilities of workers in the occupation, including what tools and equipment they use and how closely they are supervised. This tab also covers different types of occupational specialties.

Work Environment

The Work Environment tab includes the number of jobs held in the occupation and describes the workplace, the level of physical activity expected, and typical hours worked. It may also discuss the major industries that employed the occupation. This tab may also describe opportunities for part-time work, the amount and type of travel required, any safety equipment that is used, and the risk of injury that workers may face.

How to Become One

The How to Become One tab describes how to prepare for a job in the occupation. This tab can include information on education, training, work experience, licensing and certification, and important qualities that are required or helpful for entering or working in the occupation.

Pay

The Pay tab describes typical earnings and how workers in the occupation are compensated—annual salaries, hourly wages, commissions, tips, or bonuses. Within every occupation, earnings vary by experience, responsibility, performance, tenure, and geographic area. For most profiles, this tab has a table with wages in the major industries employing the occupation. It does not include pay for self-employed workers, agriculture workers, or workers in private households because these data are not collected by the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, the source of BLS wage data in the OOH.

State & Area Data

The State and Area Data tab provides links to state and area occupational data from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, state projections data from Projections Central, and occupational information from the Department of Labor's CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The Job Outlook tab describes the factors that affect employment growth or decline in the occupation, and in some instances, describes the relationship between the number of job seekers and the number of job openings.

Similar Occupations

The Similar Occupations tab describes occupations that share similar duties, skills, interests, education, or training with the occupation covered in the profile.

Contacts for More Information

The More Information tab provides the Internet addresses of associations, government agencies, unions, and other organizations that can provide additional information on the occupation. This tab also includes links to relevant occupational information from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET).

2024 Median Pay

The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. Median wage data are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey. In May 2024, the median annual wage for all workers was $49,500.

On-the-job Training

Additional training needed (postemployment) to attain competency in the skills needed in this occupation.

Entry-level Education

Typical level of education that most workers need to enter this occupation.

Work experience in a related occupation

Work experience that is commonly considered necessary by employers, or is a commonly accepted substitute for more formal types of training or education.

Number of Jobs, 2024

The employment, or size, of this occupation in 2024, which is the base year of the 2024–34 employment projections.

Job Outlook, 2024-34

The projected percent change in employment from 2024 to 2034. The average growth rate for all occupations is 3 percent.

Employment Change, 2024-34

The projected numeric change in employment from 2024 to 2034.

Entry-level Education

Typical level of education that most workers need to enter this occupation.

On-the-job Training

Additional training needed (postemployment) to attain competency in the skills needed in this occupation.

Employment Change, projected 2024-34

The projected numeric change in employment from 2024 to 2034.

Growth Rate (Projected)

The percent change of employment for each occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Projected Number of New Jobs

The projected numeric change in employment from 2024 to 2034.

Projected Growth Rate

The projected percent change in employment from 2024 to 2034.

2024 Median Pay

The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. Median wage data are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey. In May 2024, the median annual wage for all workers was $49,500.