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The differences between cardiac technicians and clinical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a cardiac technician, becoming a clinical technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a cardiac technician has an average salary of $39,698, which is higher than the $35,760 average annual salary of a clinical technician.
The top three skills for a cardiac technician include patients, BLS and CPR. The most important skills for a clinical technician are patients, vital signs, and phlebotomy.
| Cardiac Technician | Clinical Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $39,698 | $35,760 |
| Hourly rate | $19.09 | $17.19 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 50,689 | 161,812 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 40% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| Average age | 45 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 12 |
Cardiac or cardiovascular technicians are healthcare professionals who participate in saving the lives of patients with a heart attack by helping physicians diagnose and treat cardiac and peripheral vascular ailments. These technicians are experts in conducting electrocardiogram (ECG) tests that measure the electrical activity of a patient's heart. They prepare patients and position them for the medical procedure while setting up the necessary diagnosing and monitoring equipment. Cardiac technicians must also assist cardiovascular surgeons in interpreting the reports for their patients.
A clinical technician is responsible for operating and maintaining clinical equipment, ensuring the proper sterilization of all laboratory tools and kits to avoid contamination during medical procedures. Clinical technicians assist the patients with their medical inquiries and needs, collecting samples for laboratory, and helping medical professionals on surgeries and other medical operations. They also maintain medical charts, update patients' information on the database, and administer patients' medication. A clinical technician must have excellent knowledge of the medical industry, as well as strictly following internal guidelines and safety procedures during operations.
Cardiac technicians and clinical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Cardiac Technician | Clinical Technician | |
| Average salary | $39,698 | $35,760 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $50,000 | Between $26,000 And $48,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fargo, ND | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Brigham and Women's Hospital | Brigham and Women's Hospital |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Government |
There are a few differences between a cardiac technician and a clinical technician in terms of educational background:
| Cardiac Technician | Clinical Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 40% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| Most common major | Medical Technician | Nursing |
| Most common college | Emory University | University of Connecticut |
Here are the differences between cardiac technicians' and clinical technicians' demographics:
| Cardiac Technician | Clinical Technician | |
| Average age | 45 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 34.4% Female, 65.6% | Male, 26.6% Female, 73.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 3.3% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 13.9% White, 58.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% | Black or African American, 12.8% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 11.2% White, 53.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |