Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians

SOC: 29-2031 O*NET: 29-2031.00
Median Salary
$67,260
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 3%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
3.8
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3

Conduct tests on pulmonary or cardiovascular systems of patients for diagnostic, therapeutic, or research purposes. May conduct or assist in electrocardiograms, cardiac catheterizations, pulmonary functions, lung capacity, and similar tests.

What does a Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians do?

Conduct tests on pulmonary or cardiovascular systems of patients for diagnostic, therapeutic, or research purposes. May conduct or assist in electrocardiograms, cardiac catheterizations, pulmonary functions, lung capacity, and similar tests.

How much can you earn?

Entry Level
$37,890
10th percentile
Early Career
$46,470
25th percentile
Median
$67,260
50th percentile
Experienced
$91,430
75th percentile
Top Earners
$108,900
90th percentile

National Salary Distribution

10th
$37,890
25th
$46,470
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$67,260
Mean: $72,890
75th
$91,430
90th
$108,900
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)

Key Insights

  • Salary range spans $71,010 from entry level to top earners
  • Middle 50% earn between $46,470 and $91,430
  • Salary spread is 66.8% around the median, showing high variation
  • Total national employment: 61,180 professionals

What's the job outlook?

Job Market Intelligence

Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk

Current Employment

National Employment:64,700

Top Industries

Hospitals68.8%
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals67.2%
Ambulatory Health Care Services19.4%

10-Year Outlook

Growth Rate:+3%
Annual Openings:3,800

Employment Projections

2024 (Current)64,700
Current
2034 (Projected)66,600
+3%
+1,900
Employment Change
+3%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection

Growth Category: As fast as average

Geographic Salary & Employment Data

Explore where Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians professionals work across the United States

Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
6,110 jobs$64,7200.85x
Florida
5,840 jobs$64,0001.50x
Texas
5,130 jobs$47,9700.93x
Pennsylvania
3,340 jobs$61,9201.40x
New York
3,200 jobs$86,0500.85x
Georgia
3,030 jobs$69,4901.57x
New Jersey
2,690 jobs$81,1601.60x
Ohio
2,280 jobs$77,7901.04x
Virginia
2,110 jobs$78,7201.31x
Michigan
1,950 jobs$78,4801.12x
Arizona
1,700 jobs$65,7201.34x
North Carolina
1,580 jobs$58,0500.82x
Illinois
1,390 jobs$73,6000.58x
Indiana
1,360 jobs$67,9701.07x
Tennessee
1,200 jobs$63,9400.92x

Understanding the Data

Location Quotient (LQ):

  • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
  • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
  • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average

Data Source:

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024

Key Growth Factors

  • Average growth expected

What skills do you need?

Top 10 Most Important Skills

#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Speaking
94%
#3
Operations Monitoring
86%
#4
Critical Thinking
80%
#5
Monitoring
74%
#6
Social Perceptiveness
66%
#7
Reading Comprehension
60%
#8
Service Orientation
54%
#9
Judgment and Decision Making
46%
#10
Complex Problem Solving
40%

Skills Overview

Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.7
94%
Operations Monitoring
intermediate4.3
86%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.0
80%
Monitoring
intermediate3.7
74%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate3.3
66%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.0
60%
Service Orientation
basic2.7
54%

Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.

Filter:
Sort by:

Active Listening

advanced
Importance100%
skills
5.0/5.0

Speaking

advanced
Importance94%
skills
4.7/5.0

Operations Monitoring

intermediate
Importance86%
skills
4.3/5.0

Critical Thinking

intermediate
Importance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0

Monitoring

intermediate
Importance74%
skills
3.7/5.0

Social Perceptiveness

intermediate
Importance66%
skills
3.3/5.0

Reading Comprehension

basic
Importance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0

Service Orientation

basic
Importance54%
skills
2.7/5.0

Judgment and Decision Making

basic
Importance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0

Complex Problem Solving

advanced
Importance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0

Highly Transferable Skills

These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:

Acupuncturists82%
5 shared skills
Physician Assistants82%
5 shared skills
Child, Family, and School Social Workers82%
5 shared skills
Cooks, Private Household82%
5 shared skills
Dentists, General82%
5 shared skills
Dietitians and Nutritionists82%
5 shared skills

Skills by Career Stage

Entry Level

Must Have:
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
Learn on the Job:
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Service Orientation
  • Reading Comprehension

Mid Career

Expected:
  • Operations Monitoring
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking

Senior Level

Mastery Required:
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking

Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
  • Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
  • Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
  • Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time

What technology will you use?

Technology & Digital Skills

Essential technology proficiencies for Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians

Technology Intensity
High

Digital Literacy Requirements

This career requires advanced digital literacy

1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert

Key Digital Competencies:

Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥

Hot Technologies in Demand

These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field

Microsoft Outlook

🔥 Hot Tech

MEDITECH software

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Office software

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Excel

🔥 Hot Tech

JavaScript

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Word

🔥 Hot Tech

Technology Stack

Technology Stack Overview

Key technologies used in this career

Microsoft Outlook
MEDITECH software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Excel
JavaScript
Microsoft Word

📚 Technology Learning Resources

Recommended Certifications

  • Vendor-specific software certifications
  • Industry-recognized technology credentials
  • Professional development courses

Online Learning Platforms

  • LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
  • Coursera - University-level programs
  • Udemy - Practical skills training

💡 Technology Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
  • Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
  • Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
  • Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers

What's the work environment like?

🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT

💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?

Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:

  • Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
  • Can you meet moderate physical demands?
  • Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
  • Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?

What are the key tasks?

Tasks & Responsibilities

21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (8)Documentation & Record-Keeping (7)Operations & Execution (3)Management & Supervision (1)Analysis & Evaluation (1)Planning & Development (1)
1

Monitor patients' blood pressure and heart rate using electrocardiogram (EKG) equipment during diagnostic or therapeutic procedures to notify the physician if something appears wrong.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
100%
General Responsibilities100% perform
2

Monitor patients' comfort and safety during tests, alerting physicians to abnormalities or changes in patient responses.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
98%
General Responsibilities97% perform
3

Explain testing procedures to patients to obtain cooperation and reduce anxiety.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
96%
General Responsibilities94% perform
4

Observe gauges, recorder, and video screens of data analysis system during imaging of cardiovascular system.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
94%
Documentation & Record-Keeping91% perform
5

Conduct electrocardiogram (EKG), phonocardiogram, echocardiogram, stress testing, or other cardiovascular tests to record patients' cardiac activity, using specialized electronic test equipment, recording devices, or laboratory instruments.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
92%
Documentation & Record-Keeping88% perform
6

Prepare and position patients for testing.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
90%
Documentation & Record-Keeping85% perform
7

Obtain and record patient identification, medical history, or test results.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
88%
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform
8

Attach electrodes to the patients' chests, arms, and legs, connect electrodes to leads from the electrocardiogram (EKG) machine, and operate the EKG machine to obtain a reading.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
86%
Operations & Execution79% perform
9

Adjust equipment and controls according to physicians' orders or established protocol.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
84%
General Responsibilities76% perform
10

Check, test, and maintain cardiology equipment, making minor repairs when necessary, to ensure proper operation.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
82%
Documentation & Record-Keeping73% perform

💡 Key Takeaways

  • Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
  • 33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
  • Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities

What career paths are available?

Career Pathways

0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase

Advancement Opportunities

Typical career progression paths from Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians

💡 Career Planning Tips

  • Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
  • Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
  • Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
  • Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves

Is this career right for you?

Personality & Values Fit

Is This Career Right for You?

Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians professionals typically have a RIC Holland code and highly value relationships

RRealistic
IInvestigative
CConventional

Important Personality Traits

Work styles that contribute to success as a Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians

Concern for Others

Critical

Concern for Others

Importance Level4.67

Attention to Detail

Critical

Attention to Detail

Importance Level4.60

Cooperation

Critical

Cooperation

Importance Level4.59

Dependability

Critical

Dependability

Importance Level4.52

Stress Tolerance

Very Important

Stress Tolerance

Importance Level4.44

Self-Control

Very Important

Self-Control

Importance Level4.41

Complete Work Styles Profile

Concern for Others
4.7
Attention to Detail
4.6
Cooperation
4.6
Dependability
4.5
Stress Tolerance
4.4
Self-Control
4.4
Integrity
4.4
Initiative
4.2
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.2
Independence
4.1

💡 Tips for Career Fit Success

  • While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
  • Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
  • Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
  • Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career

What education is required?

Education Level

Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies

Preparation Level

Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed

Experience Needed

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required

📚 Education Requirement

Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Training:

Training of more than one year

💼 Experience Requirement

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required

Common pathways to gain experience:

  • Associate degree programs
  • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
  • Vocational training with related experience
3

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience

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