Job Outlook and Opportunity as an EKG Technician
More people, both young and old, are making health-promoting diet and lifestyle choices to meet their fitness, beauty, and health goals. For many people, especially the elderly, heart health has become a number one priority. As one of the most vital organs in the body (rivaled only by the brain), the heart plays a major role in a person’s overall health.
Along with the increased concern for heart health and general well-being, the demand for Electrocardiogram (EKG) technicians and technologists has been on the rise at a steady incline with no sign of slowing down. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that jobs for cardiovascular technicians and technologists will grow 5% between 2019 – 2029 due to the baby-boomer population entering their senior years, the growing number of patients with chronic conditions, and increasing life expectancies.
Who are the EKG Techs?
EKG Techs are medical professionals who are trained to operate electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) machines and conduct tests to determine the cardiovascular health of a patient. EKG Techs work alongside cardiologists using specialized machines as well as administering tests to detect diseases, disorders, and other problems associated with the heart. They are responsible for preparing the patient for testing by attaching electrodes to appropriate points on the patient’s chest, operating the EKG machine correctly, conducting Holter monitoring and stress testing, and providing accurate results to the cardiologist for further examination.
Where do EKG Techs work?
Like many other practitioners in the medical industry, EKG Techs are in high demand in general medical and surgical hospitals, specialty long-term care facilities, private practices, outpatient care centers, medical and diagnostic laboratories, and other ambulatory healthcare settings. They are sometimes employed by colleges, universities, and vocational schools, but most EKG Techs are employed by general hospitals. EKG Techs employed in outpatient care centers are usually paid the highest.
How much do EKG Techs earn?
From the May 2020 estimates of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, EKG Techs in the United States can earn anywhere between $14.49 to $46.54 per hour ($30,140 to $96,790 per year). California is one of the top paying states with the highest employment level in EKG Techs with an hourly mean wage of $38.22 or an annual mean wage of $79,490. California’s EKG Technician wages are approximately 34% above the national average.
Stockton-Lodi is one of the highest-paying areas in the country for EKG Techs with a mean wage of $40.44 hourly or $84,120 annually. The Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura area pays the most at an average of $50.21 hourly or $104,430 annually, followed by the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara area with a mean wage of $43.24 hourly or $89,930 annually.
While the Bakersfield area is not one of the highest-paying regions in California, EKG Techs working in Bakersfield earn a mean wage of $38.18 hourly or $79,420 annually, still more than the national mean hourly wage of $29.30 or $60,940 annually.
If you’d like to learn more about careers in healthcare and course offerings, contact Altamont Healthcare in Stockton and Bakersfield, CA.
We offer certification programs in CPR and Basic Life Support, Electrocardiogram Technology (EKG), Sterile Processing and Distribution (SPD), and Surgical Technology.
Call us at (209) 817-8035 (Stockton) or (661) 230-6316 (Bakersfield) to ask about our programs. Tuition discounts available for certain payment options. Customized payment schedules available upon request.
