---
title: "Cardiovascular Technologist: Path and Pay | CareerDirecting"
description: "How to become a cardiovascular technologist: associate programs, specialties like echo and cath lab, credentials and May 2025 BLS pay."
url: https://careerdirecting.com/careers/cardiovascular-technologist/
updated: 2026-10-09
site: CareerDirecting
---

Healthcare · Cardiovascular tech

# Cardiovascular technologist Imaging and testing the heart.

Healthcare career profile

Cardiovascular technologists and technicians help doctors diagnose and treat heart and blood vessel problems. Some work in cath labs during procedures; others run EKGs or stress tests. Most enter through an associate degree.

In short

Cardiovascular technologists usually earn an associate degree and a professional credential, such as from Cardiovascular Credentialing International. They assist with heart catheterizations, run EKGs and stress tests and monitor patients. Cardiovascular technologists and technicians earned a median of $74,310 in May 2025, per BLS.

**Job numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics** Updated October 9, 2026. Pay figures are national medians and are not a promise of what you will earn.

| Median pay | $74,310 a year, about $35.73 an hour (May 2025) |
|---|---|
| Typical way in | Associate degree |
| Jobs in the U.S. | About 64,500 (2025) |
| Outlook, 2025 to 2035 | Projected growth of 3.7% |
| Openings each year | About 3,400 on average, including replacements |
| Credentials | Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) exams |
| Where they work | Hospitals, cardiology offices |

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025 to 2035 and May 2025 wages, [BLS](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm). National figures; pay where you live can be higher or lower, and starting pay is lower than the median.

## Specialties

Invasive cardiology techs work in cath labs alongside cardiologists. Others focus on noninvasive testing like EKGs and Holter monitors. Echocardiography, heart ultrasound, is often covered under sonography.

## Questions people ask

### How long does it take?

About two years for an associate degree.

### Is it stressful?

Cath lab work can be intense and include on-call shifts.

### What is the difference with an EKG tech?

EKG techs often train in short programs and do a narrower set of tests.

## Sources

- [BLS Employment Projections 2025 to 2035, Table 1.2 (occupational projections and worker characteristics)](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm)
- [BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Cardiovascular technologists and technicians](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/cardiovascular-technologists-and-technicians.htm)

## Where to go next

- [Ultrasound technician](https://careerdirecting.com/careers/ultrasound-technician/)
- [Associate degree jobs](https://careerdirecting.com/jobs-without-a-degree/associate-degree-jobs/)
- [Radiology technician](https://careerdirecting.com/careers/radiology-technician/)
- [Careers](https://careerdirecting.com/careers/)
- [Barber](https://careerdirecting.com/careers/barber/)
- [Bookkeeper](https://careerdirecting.com/careers/bookkeeper/)
- [CNA](https://careerdirecting.com/careers/cna/)
- [Cosmetologist](https://careerdirecting.com/careers/cosmetologist/)

---
Canonical page: https://careerdirecting.com/careers/cardiovascular-technologist/