HEALTH Zone 3: Medium Preparation

Cardiovascular Technologist

Cardiovascular Technologist earn $74,310 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $47,890 and $98,110. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.

About Cardiovascular Technologist

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.


Median Wage
$74,310
Employed Nationally
63K
Openings / Year
3,800
Entry Education
Associate's degree
Job Zone
Zone 3: Medium Preparation

Also known as:

ARRT Technologist (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists Technologist) Cardiac Cath Lab Technician (Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Technician) Cardiac Cath Lab Technologist (Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Technologist) Cardiac Catheterization Special Procedures Technologist Cardiac Catheterization Technician

How Much Do Cardiovascular Technologists Make?

Cardiovascular Technologist earn $74,310 nationally, above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $47,890 and $98,110. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.

$74,310
National Median (Annual)

Above the national median for college graduates.

$48K–$98K
Middle 50% Range

25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.


Earnings Range

What Do Cardiovascular Technologists Do?

O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Cardiovascular Technologist roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.

What You'll Do

  • 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.
  • Explain testing procedures to patients to obtain cooperation and reduce anxiety.
  • Monitor patients' blood pressure and heart rate using electrocardiogram (EKG) equipment during diagnostic or therapeutic procedures to notify the physician if something appears wrong.
  • Obtain and record patient identification, medical history, or test results.
  • Monitor patients' comfort and safety during tests, alerting physicians to abnormalities or changes in patient responses.

Core Skills Employers Look For

Active Listening Speaking Operations Monitoring Critical Thinking Monitoring

Who Thrives Here

R
Realistic

Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.

I
Investigative

This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.

C
Conventional

Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.

Where Do Cardiovascular Technologists Work?

What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.

Work Setting
Mixed

Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.

Physical Demands
Light

Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.

Stress Level
High

High time pressure and significant consequences for errors. Deadline-driven or high-stakes decisions are common.

What Is the Job Outlook for Cardiovascular Technologists?

The BLS projects +3.0% employment change for Cardiovascular Technologist through 2034, below the national average of +5%. About 3,800 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.

↗ +3.0%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)

About as fast as average.

3,800
Annual Openings

New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.

63K
Currently Employed

Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.

Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.

Where the Jobs Are

The five states below employ the most Cardiovascular Technologist professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $74,310 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.

# State Jobs Median Wage vs. National
1 California 6,110 $64,720 -12.9%
2 Florida 5,840 $64,000 -13.9%
3 Texas 5,130 $47,970 -35.4%
4 Pennsylvania 3,340 $61,920 -16.7%
5 New York 3,200 $86,050 +15.8%

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →

How to Get Here

Most Cardiovascular Technologist positions require a associate's degree to qualify. The program below is the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.

Associate's degree
Zone 3: Medium Preparation

A medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience.


Degree Programs That Lead Here

# Program Graduates/yr 4yr Median Colleges
1 Allied Health Diagnostic 85,413 $70,786 1,768

Top Colleges for Aspiring Cardiovascular Technologists

Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.

# College UCD Score Net Price Salary 10yr
1 University of Florida Gainesville, FL 93 $6,541 $71,588
2 Stanford University Stanford, CA 92 $13,807 $124,080
3 North Florida College Madison, FL 91 $804 $33,929
4 University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI 91 $13,138 $83,648
5 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC 90 $11,655 $72,200
6 California State University-Long Beach Long Beach, CA 90 $10,440 $64,403

Plan Your Path

Once you've sized up Cardiovascular Technologist, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.

Cardiovascular Technologist Pros & Cons

The data on Cardiovascular Technologist shows 2 measurable strengths and 2 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.

PROS
  • Above-average pay At $74,310 median annually, this career pays meaningfully more than most college-graduate roles. Financial return on education is typically strong.
  • Accessible entry path The typical entry requirement is a associate's degree, lower than many comparable-paying careers. This creates a shorter path from training to first paycheck.
CONS
  • High earnings variance The gap between the 25th ($47,890) and 75th ($98,110) percentile is wide. Where you land depends heavily on employer, location, and specialization.
  • Entry-level pay well below the national median The 25th percentile wage of $47,890 is considerably below the $74,310 median. Early-career workers typically spend 5 or more years building toward typical pay. Factor this into any program ROI calculation.

Cardiovascular Technologist Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Cardiovascular Technologist professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Cardiovascular Technologist is $74,310, near the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $47,890 and $98,110. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Cardiovascular Technologist a good career?
For people genuinely interested in the work, yes. At $74,310 median, with +3.0% projected growth through 2034, there is a real financial case and a stable market for new entrants. Compare program net price against local salary outcomes (not just the national median) before committing.
How do I become a Cardiovascular Technologist?
Most Cardiovascular Technologist positions require a associate's degree as the minimum credential. a medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience. Programs like Allied Health Diagnostic are common starting points.
What is the job outlook for Cardiovascular Technologist?
The BLS projects +3.0% employment change for Cardiovascular Technologist through 2034, about as fast as average compared to all occupations. About 3,800 job openings per year are projected, including new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers. 63K people currently work in this occupation nationwide (BLS May 2024).
Why do Cardiovascular Technologist salaries vary so widely?
The $50,220 gap between the 25th ($47,890) and 75th ($98,110) percentile reflects how much employer type, industry, specialization, and geography affect pay. Entry-level roles and lower-demand markets cluster near the bottom; senior, specialized, or high-cost-metro positions push the top. In fields with this much spread, where you work and what you specialize in often matters more than years of experience.
What skills do Cardiovascular Technologist professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Cardiovascular Technologist roles: Active Listening, Speaking, Operations Monitoring, Critical Thinking, and Monitoring. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.

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