Health Technologists and Technicians

How to become a Cardiovascular Technologist or Technician

Official title: Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians

Also called: Cardiac Cath Lab Technologist (Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Technologist), Cardiac Catheterization Technician, Cardiac Technician, Cardio Tech (Cardiovascular Technician), Cardiology Technician, Cardiopulmonary Technician, Cardiovascular Technologist (CVT), Electrocardiogram Technician (EKG Tech), Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS)

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.

Main tasks

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.
Prepare and position patients for testing.
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.
Adjust equipment and controls according to physicians' orders or established protocol.

How to become one

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.

Typical education to start: Associate's degree

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

Apprenticeship: Invasive Cardiovascular Technologist (Nof).
Certificate or associate's degree: Associate's degree. Programs such as Cardiovascular Technology/Technologist; Electrocardiograph Technology/Technician; Perfusion Technology/Perfusionist
Licence: A licence is required in 18 states.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $74,310 a year The middle half earn $47,890 to $98,110.
About 64,500 people work in this job now, and about 66,900 are projected by 2035. (+3.7%)
People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Questions people ask

How do I become a Cardiovascular Technologist or Technician?

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.

How much does a Cardiovascular Technologist or Technician earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $74,310 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $47,890 to $98,110.

Is a Cardiovascular Technologist or Technician a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 4% by 2035, from about 64,500 to about 66,900 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Cardiovascular Technologist or Technician?

Not always. 49% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Associate's degree; Invasive Cardiovascular Technologist (Nof).

Will AI change the work of a Cardiovascular Technologist or Technician?

People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.