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The differences between cardiology technicians and pulmonary function 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 cardiology technician and a pulmonary function technician. Additionally, a pulmonary function technician has an average salary of $50,458, which is higher than the $43,580 average annual salary of a cardiology technician.
The top three skills for a cardiology technician include patients, patient care and arrhythmia. The most important skills for a pulmonary function technician are patients, respiratory care, and patient care.
| Cardiology Technician | Pulmonary Function Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $43,580 | $50,458 |
| Hourly rate | $20.95 | $24.26 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 57,811 | 50,955 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 36% | Associate Degree, 44% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Cardiology Technicians are responsible for assisting physicians in diagnosing and treating cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases by conducting diagnostic testing, managing equipment, and recording results. Their duties include registering patients, maintaining a patient log, explaining testing and equipment procedures, assisting the patient in the physical examination, and conducting echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, phonocardiogram, and stress tests. They are also involved in operating physiologic monitors, monitoring instrument readings, conducting pulmonary tests, managing laboratory records, submitting reports, adjusting and cleaning equipment, and maintaining inventory levels. Cardiology Technicians also perform preventive maintenance, handle charge slips, and ensure work complies with professional standards and regulations.
Pulmonary Function Technologists generally pay around $77K per year and require skills in respiratory care, spirometry, RRT, and understanding test results. In addition to a high school diploma, most employers will require anyone who chooses this career to have an associate degree in respiratory therapy or NBRC certification. This will be needed in a career that calls for setting up and running respective patients' respiratory tests for identifying lung diseases or disorders and conducting tests and collaborating with medical staff for possible diagnoses of lung disease.
Cardiology technicians and pulmonary function technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Cardiology Technician | Pulmonary Function Technician | |
| Average salary | $43,580 | $50,458 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $62,000 | Between $33,000 And $75,000 |
| Highest paying City | Eureka, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | California | - |
| Best paying company | Columbia University in the City of New York | - |
| Best paying industry | Education | - |
There are a few differences between a cardiology technician and a pulmonary function technician in terms of educational background:
| Cardiology Technician | Pulmonary Function Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 36% | Associate Degree, 44% |
| Most common major | Nursing | Medical Technician |
| Most common college | Emory University | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between cardiology technicians' and pulmonary function technicians' demographics:
| Cardiology Technician | Pulmonary Function Technician | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 24.7% Female, 75.3% | Male, 52.0% Female, 48.0% |
| 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% |