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The differences between cardiac technicians and monitor technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a cardiac technician and a monitor technician. Additionally, a cardiac technician has an average salary of $39,698, which is higher than the $35,460 average annual salary of a monitor technician.
The top three skills for a cardiac technician include patients, BLS and CPR. The most important skills for a monitor technician are patients, EKG, and BLS.
| Cardiac Technician | Monitor Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $39,698 | $35,460 |
| Hourly rate | $19.09 | $17.05 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 50,689 | 56,963 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 40% | Bachelor's Degree, 33% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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 monitor technician works in hospitals and other health care centers that provide treatment relating to heart health. They are also known as cardiac monitor technicians, who assist physicians and nurses with diagnosing and interpreting conditions related to the heart through several methods of monitoring and testing. Most of their work includes using machines and other medical technology in tracking patients' heart performance and check for any possible abnormalities. They monitor irregular heartbeats, arrhythmias, and cardiac arrest. They also use this technology to perform various tests on the heart but typically do not provide treatment.
Cardiac technicians and monitor technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Cardiac Technician | Monitor Technician | |
| Average salary | $39,698 | $35,460 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $50,000 | Between $28,000 And $43,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fargo, ND | Medford, OR |
| Highest paying state | California | Utah |
| Best paying company | Brigham and Women's Hospital | MLK Community Healthcare |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a cardiac technician and a monitor technician in terms of educational background:
| Cardiac Technician | Monitor Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 40% | Bachelor's Degree, 33% |
| Most common major | Medical Technician | Nursing |
| Most common college | Emory University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between cardiac technicians' and monitor technicians' demographics:
| Cardiac Technician | Monitor Technician | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 34.4% Female, 65.6% | Male, 34.7% Female, 65.3% |
| 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, 10.6% Unknown, 3.3% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 13.9% White, 58.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |