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The differences between cardiac technicians and x-ray 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 an x-ray technician. Additionally, an x-ray technician has an average salary of $51,642, which is higher than the $39,698 average annual salary of a cardiac technician.
The top three skills for a cardiac technician include patients, BLS and CPR. The most important skills for an x-ray technician are patients, ARRT, and radiologic technologist.
| Cardiac Technician | X-Ray Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $39,698 | $51,642 |
| Hourly rate | $19.09 | $24.83 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 50,689 | 60,780 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 40% | Associate Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 45 | 43 |
| 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.
The job of X-ray technicians, or X-ray technologists, is to detect medical issues that may need urgent medical treatment using cutting-edge imaging methods. The pictures they generate aid physicians in diagnosing and treating injuries and illnesses with better accuracy. They use a wide range of imaging technologies such as the traditional X-ray machines, computerized axial tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. X-ray technicians may also perform some office work that includes preparing work schedules, managing radiologic departments, and setting up physicians' stations.
Cardiac technicians and x-ray technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Cardiac Technician | X-Ray Technician | |
| Average salary | $39,698 | $51,642 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $50,000 | Between $32,000 And $81,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fargo, ND | Fresno, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Brigham and Women's Hospital | Stability Healthcare |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a cardiac technician and an x-ray technician in terms of educational background:
| Cardiac Technician | X-Ray Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 40% | Associate Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Medical Technician | Medical Technician |
| Most common college | Emory University | Texas A&M University |
Here are the differences between cardiac technicians' and x-ray technicians' demographics:
| Cardiac Technician | X-Ray Technician | |
| Average age | 45 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 34.4% Female, 65.6% | Male, 40.3% Female, 59.7% |
| 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, 10.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 9.3% White, 57.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 10% |