Occupations · Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
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.
O*NET 30.3 Database (USDOL/ETA) · occupation code 29-2031.00
What it pays
A single “average salary” hides the spread. This is the whole distribution — the gap between the bottom and top bar is usually the number that matters.
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 · national, cross-industry · annual wage
Pay over time
Median up 80% between 2003 and 2024, before inflation. The band shows the 10th to 90th percentile.
BLS OEWS, one release per year. Before May 2011 only national estimates were published, so geography detail starts there.
Where the jobs are
| Metro area | Median wage | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $84,720 | 3,870 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $63,710 | 3,060 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $74,180 | 1,830 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $70,370 | 1,690 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $48,340 | 1,350 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $49,920 | 1,300 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ | $66,000 | 1,290 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $50,100 | 1,230 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $94,800 | 1,170 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | $78,690 | 1,080 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $79,770 | 910 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $66,410 | 880 |
BLS OEWS May 2024, metropolitan estimates · the 12 areas with the most people in this occupation
Typical education to enter: Associate's degree · BLS Employment Projections 2024–34
What people in this job actually do
Ordered by how important the work is rated.
- 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.
- Compare measurements of heart wall thickness and chamber sizes to standard norms to identify abnormalities.
- Explain testing procedures to patients to obtain cooperation and reduce anxiety.
- Maintain a proper sterile field during surgical procedures.
- Observe ultrasound display screen and listen to signals to record vascular information, such as blood pressure, limb volume changes, oxygen saturation, or cerebral circulation.
- Monitor patients' blood pressure and heart rate using electrocardiogram (EKG) equipment during diagnostic or therapeutic procedures to notify the physician if something appears wrong.
- Assist physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac or peripheral vascular treatments, such as implanting pacemakers or assisting with balloon angioplasties to treat blood vessel blockages.
- Obtain and record patient identification, medical history, or test results.
- Assess cardiac physiology and calculate valve areas from blood flow velocity measurements.
- Operate diagnostic imaging equipment to produce contrast enhanced radiographs of heart and cardiovascular system.
- Monitor patients' comfort and safety during tests, alerting physicians to abnormalities or changes in patient responses.
- Observe gauges, recorder, and video screens of data analysis system during imaging of cardiovascular system.
O*NET 30.3 task ratings, importance scale
Skills that matter most
Importance, rated 1 to 5.
O*NET 30.3 skills, importance scale
Software and tools
A dot marks what O*NET flags as in demand.
O*NET 30.3 software skills · hot-technology flag
What this work is actually like
Conditions rated against the average across all occupations — only what makes this job different is listed.
O*NET 30.3 Job Zones
Working conditions that stand out
O*NET 30.3 work context, frequency scale · observed 2014-07
How people actually get in
Share of workers by the education they hold.
O*NET 30.2 education, training and experience · observed 2014-07
What kind of person the work suits
Occupational interest profile, rated 1 to 7.
O*NET 30.2 occupational interests (RIASEC)
Tasks O*NET flags as emerging
- Perform general administrative tasks, such as answering telephones, scheduling appointments, or ordering supplies or equipment.
O*NET 30.3 emerging tasks
What you take with you
Skills rated for how well they transfer into other occupations.
O*NET 30.3 transferable skills, importance scale
Knowledge the work draws on
Abilities it leans on
O*NET 30.3 abilities and knowledge, importance scale
How this job is advertised
The same work is posted under many titles — this is what to search for.
O*NET 30.3 job titles reported for this occupation
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What changed since 2015
Comparing O*NET release 20.1 (2015-10-01) with 30.3 (2026-05-01). Signs, not colour alone, carry the meaning.
Now listed 3
No longer listed 1
Diff across the O*NET releases held here in full since October 2015, following occupations through merges and retirements. O*NET re-surveys occupations on a rolling cycle, so “no change” can also mean “not re-surveyed”.
Related jobs
O*NET 30.3 related occupations
Also called
O*NET 30.3 alternative titles
The same work in Europe
| ESCO occupation | ISCO | Match |
|---|---|---|
| clinical perfusion scientist | 3211.1 | close |
Official ESCO ↔ O*NET crosswalk (ESCO Secretariat with USDOL/ETA)
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