Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
How to Become a Cardiovascular Technologist or Technician 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 & 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.
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Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Employment of cardiovascular technologists and technicians is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 3,400 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. Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Health technologists and technicians 7% Cardiovascular technologists and technicians 4% Total, all occupations 3% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians Do
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
Work Environment
Cardiovascular technologists and technicians held about 64,500 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of cardiovascular technologists and technicians were as follows:
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 77% |
| Offices of physicians | 13 |
| Outpatient care centers | 2 |
| Medical and diagnostic laboratories | 2 |
| Self-employed workers | 1 |
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.
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.
More Information
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.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.