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Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians

Typical education: Associate degreeHigh pressure

What they 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.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.

High pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $74,310 Median per year · $35.73/hr Most earn $39,000–$121,350

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • 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.
  • Check, test, and maintain cardiology equipment, making minor repairs when necessary, to ensure proper operation.
  • Maintain a proper sterile field during surgical procedures.
  • Explain testing procedures to patients to obtain cooperation and reduce anxiety.
  • Transcribe, type, and distribute reports of diagnostic procedures for interpretation by physician.
  • Prepare and position patients for testing.

Job outlook

United States
4% more jobs by 2035, about as fast as average · about 3,400 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • General medical and surgical hospitals75.1%
  • Offices of physicians13.0%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 1 to 2 years

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Associate degreeExperience before this job: 1 to 2 years

This is not usually a straight-out-of-school job. Most people earn an associate degree and then typically gain 1 to 2 years of related hands-on work before working as a cardiovascular technologist, so plan on roughly 3 to 4 years after high school.

  1. High school diploma with strong science and math

    4 years

    Biology, chemistry, anatomy, and math build the foundation you need for medical technology programs and the health care courses that follow.

  2. Associate degree in cardiovascular technology

    2 years

    This program teaches heart anatomy, electrocardiograms, and how to run cardiac tests, and includes clinical training in a hospital or clinic, which is what employers look for.

  3. EKG Technician

    1-2 years

    Working as an EKG technician or patient care technician in a hospital or cardiology office gives you hands-on experience with heart tests and patients, which is the related work experience employers typically expect.

  4. Cardiovascular Technologist

    Ongoing career

    With your degree and experience, you perform and assist with heart and lung tests such as electrocardiograms, cardiac catheterizations, and pulmonary function tests.

Where it can lead

  1. Lead Cardiovascular Technologist

    3-5 years of experience first

    You take on training new staff, checking the quality of test results, and helping schedule the lab, usually by showing strong skills and reliability over several years.

  2. Cardiovascular Services Manager

    5+ years of experience first

    You oversee the whole heart testing department, including budgets, staffing, equipment, and policies, which often requires extra management training or a bachelor's degree.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take biology, chemistry, anatomy, and physiologyThese classes build the science background you will use in any heart or lung testing program.
  • Get CPR and first aid certificationMany health programs and employers expect this, and it shows you can stay calm and help patients in an emergency.
  • Volunteer at a hospital or nursing homeWorking with patients helps you learn how clinical settings run and whether you are comfortable around people who are sick or scared.
  • Find a part-time or summer job in a healthcare settingJobs like front desk or patient transport at a clinic give you real exposure to medical offices and teamwork.
  • Join a science or health career clubClubs like HOSA (Future Health Professionals) or a science club, if your school has one, let you learn about health careers and practice skills with peers.

In college

  • Major in biology, health science, or a pre-clinical programA science-focused major gives you the background needed for an associate degree in cardiovascular technology and keeps options open if you change direction.
  • Take anatomy, physiology, and medical terminologyThese courses are commonly required for cardiovascular and other diagnostic technology programs and help you do well in them.
  • Get a campus or clinic job in health careJobs like medical assistant, patient aide, or lab assistant build the hands-on experience that employers look for after you graduate.
  • Earn CPR/BLS and an EKG or phlebotomy certification if availableShort certifications like these show employers you have practical skills and can often be done while you are still in school.
  • Join a health professions club or volunteer at a hospitalGroups like HOSA or a pre-health club let you meet people in the field, learn about programs, and build your resume.

Tips for getting started

  • Shadow or talk with a cardiovascular technologist, or with someone who works in a heart clinic, to see what a typical day looks like and decide if it fits you.
  • Ask your school counselor about health care classes, CPR or first aid certification, and any medical terminology courses offered at your school or a local community college.
  • Keep your grades strong in science and math, since admission to associate degree programs in medical technology is often competitive.

Related jobs that often lead here

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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