Cardiovascular Technologist

Healthcare & Med-Tech Careers

Mean Salary (US)

$60,570

PROJECTED JOB OUTLOOK 2020-30​​

8%

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical Sonographers and Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/diagnostic-medical-sonographers.htm

Table of Contents

What is a Cardiovascular Technologist?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (“BLS”), the U.S. Department of Labor’s principal fact- finding agency for the federal government in the field of labor, economics, and statistics that provides data on employment and wages, Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians create images and conduct tests involving the heart and lungs. The following are examples of types of cardiovascular technologists and technicians:

Duties

  • Prepare patients for procedures by taking their medical history and answering any questions about the procedure
  • Prepare and maintain diagnostic imaging equipment
  • Operate equipment to obtain diagnostic images or to conduct tests
  • Review images or test results to check for quality and adequate coverage of the areas needed for diagnoses
  • Recognize the difference between normal and abnormal images, and identify other diagnostic information
  • Analyze diagnostic information to provide a summary of findings for physicians
  • Record findings and keep track of patients’ records

The following are examples of 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 problems with patients’ hearts. 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 the insertion of pacemakers and stents. Technologists 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. The tests can be done while the patient is at rest or while the patient is physically active. For a stress test, the patient walks on a treadmill and the technician gradually increases the speed to observe the effect on the heart of increased exertion.
  • Pulmonary function technologists, also known as cardiopulmonary technologists, monitor and test patients’ lungs and breathing. For example, they use spirometry to measure the amount of air that a patient can inhale or exhale. These technologists help physicians in diagnosing and treating problems of the pulmonary system.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Diagnostic Medical Sonographers and Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians, Including Vascular Technologists,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/diagnostic-medical-sonographers.htm

How much does a Cardiovascular Technologist get paid?*

According to BLS, The median annual wage for cardiovascular technologists and technicians was $60,570 in May 2021.

These numbers may vary based on geography and labor market.

*Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical Sonographers and Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/diagnostic-medical-sonographers.htm

Best-paying states for Cardiovascular Technologist**

According to BLS, the top median annual salaries for cardiovascular technologists are in Rhode Island ($85,240), Alaska ($83,720), and Washington D.C ($82,630).

**Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (“BLS”). Data as of March 2022

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Cardiovascular Technologist job outlook***

According to BLS, employment of cardiovascular technologists and technicians is projected to grow 8 percent from 2020 to 2030.

***Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical Sonographers and Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/diagnostic-medical-sonographers.htm

Cardiovascular Technologist job skills and knowledge

According to O*NET Resource Center, people in this career often have these skills:

  • Active Listening – Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
  • Speaking – Talking to others.
  • Critical Thinking – Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
  • Monitoring – Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements.
  • Operation Monitoring – Watching gauges, dials, or display screens to make sure a machine is working.
People in this career often know a lot about:
  • Customer and Personal Service – Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • English Language – Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Medicine and Dentistry – Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

Source: O*NET Resource Center

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