Certified EKG Technician Salary

According to recent BLS.gov data, did you know that the healthcare industry is one of the fastest growing in this country? This means those seeking to enter the market could expect numerous job opportunities and potential job security.

Another great benefit of getting into the healthcare industry is that there are a wide variety of jobs, and most of them do not require you to go to medical school for 4+ years or touch blood!

An Electrocardiograph Technician or an EKG Technician is a healthcare employee who assists doctors in performing different types of diagnostic tests and identifies cardiovascular problems in patients.

If you have been thinking about a healthcare career, and want to know how much you can make as an EKG Technician, then read on, as in this article, we cover everything.

5 Benefits of a Career as an EKG Technician

Why should you consider a career as an EKG technician?

1. You’ll be a Modern Day Superhero!

Doctors rely on the skills of EKG technicians to make life-saving diagnoses. This makes you a bit of a superhero in many people’s eyes.

2. Secure Job Market

In just a moment, I’ll share some specific data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, experts are predicting major growth for EKG techs in the coming years. This means numerous job opportunities and job stability for those individuals who become certified.

3. Getting Started is Easy

As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, there are plenty of wonderful careers to be had in healthcare that don’t require 4+ years of medical school, and EKG technician is one of them! You may be surprised to learn you can become a certified EKG technician in as little as 3 months!

4. Your Job is Exciting

If you’ve never liked the idea of an office job, staring at a computer screen all day, you will love being an EKG technician! No two days are ever the same, you meet different people daily, and you are often on the front lines of saving lives!

Read More: What is an EKG Technician?

5. Career Advancements

After you’ve worked in the field for a while, you may decide you want to train other new technicians. This advancement not only looks great on your CV, but you’ll also be able to earn more as well.

EKG Technician Salary & Pay: Overview

According to Salary.com, the median average salary for EKG technicians as of June 2023 was $41,900, with the highest earners bringing in $48,400. Keep in mind multiple factors impact earning potential. For instance, an EKG technician working in a major city like Sacramento is likely to earn more than one who works in a smaller town in California.

Another factor that impacts earning potential is whether or not the EKG technician has gotten certification. No matter the clinical setting, most employers prefer to hire Certified EKG Technicians.  This means certification can help you command a higher salary. (More on that later)

EKG Technician Job Growth Projections and Forecast

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that the employment of EKG technicians will increase by 10% through the year 2031. This is higher than the average growth of all other occupations.

What is causing this increased demand for EKG technicians?

As the baby boomer population ages, many of them will require EKG testing because heart disease and other cardiovascular problems become prevalent with age.

While demand is high, those candidates who are familiar with Holter monitoring and stress testing are more in demand. And, as I mentioned, those candidates who have taken the time to become certified will have the best job prospects.

How Much Does an EKG Technician Make Per Hour?

An EKG Technician can easily make something around $20 per hour which can vary sometimes based on experience and certifications. With more experience, you can expect to earn anywhere between $25-$30 per hour. 

Top Paying Industries for EKG Technicians:- 

1. Offices of Other Health Practitioners
2. Outpatient care centers
3. Scientific Research and Development Centers
4. Home Health Care Services
5. Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools

Highest Paying Cities for EKG Technicians

Here’s a list of the highest-paying cities for EKG Technicians.

• New York-Newark-Jersey City -> Median Wage -> $44,700
• Chicago City – Median Wage -> $48,200
• Houston –  Median Wage -> $48,294
• Atlanta–  Median Wage -> $48,754
• Los Angeles – Median Wage -> $48,874 or $23.50 per hour
• Detroit– Median Wage -> $50,084
• Philadelphia– Median Wage -> $51, 400
• Washington – Median Wage -> $52,000

Note – These figures are pulled from salary aggregators like Salary.com and Zip Recruiter. It is recommended to get in touch with local authorities or employers for accurate figures. 

How to Increase Your Salary as an EKG Technician

If you’re starting out as an EKG Tech, you can take a few additional steps to command a higher-paying salary. Here are a few things which you can do.

Get Certified

You can sit for the national certification exams, like the CET, conducted by the NHA. Once you clear this examination, you’re a Certified EKG Technician. Make sure you research the Top EKG Technician Schools, and choose the one that prepares you for national certification exams.

Want to know more about EKG Training? Read our guide on How to Choose EKG Technician Training?

Learn  a Second Language

As an EKG Technician, you will be interacting with patients that can be from diverse communities. It’s always recommended to learn a second language to communicate seamlessly with patients and assist them in the best way possible.

Learn Management Skills

When you gain experience as an EKG Technician, you will be given managerial roles as well. With more experience and skills, you should be able to handle more responsibilities. It’s always recommended to take a short course and learn valuable management skills.

Develop Good Communication Skills

When it comes to EKG Technician, you won’t just be dealing with machines, but with people as well. You will be expected to talk with patients, doctors, and assistants, hence it’s very crucial to be empathetic with your communication.

Related: What does an EKG Technician do?

Top Certifications for EKG Technician

As we stated earlier, an EKG Technician Certification can be beneficial. Here are the top certifications that you can get as an EKG Tech.

Certified EKG Technician (CET)

You can enroll for the CET Certification Exam i.e. Certified EKG Technician, offered through the National Healthcareer Association, and be a Certified EKG Technician.

Certified EKG Technician (CEKG)

Through National Workforce Career Association (NWCA), you can sit for the CEKG exam. This is another popular certification for EKG Techs.

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