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Diagnostic technician vs ekg technician

The differences between diagnostic technicians and ekg 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 diagnostic technician and an ekg technician. Additionally, a diagnostic technician has an average salary of $49,571, which is higher than the $35,160 average annual salary of an ekg technician.

The top three skills for a diagnostic technician include patients, patient care and CPR. The most important skills for an ekg technician are patients, BLS, and patient care.

Diagnostic technician vs ekg technician overview

Diagnostic TechnicianEKG Technician
Yearly salary$49,571$35,160
Hourly rate$23.83$16.90
Growth rate6%10%
Number of jobs70,08952,679
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 41%Bachelor's Degree, 27%
Average age4345
Years of experience22

What does a diagnostic technician do?

Diagnostic Technicians are specialists in the inspecting, maintenance, and repair of equipment or service. Diagnostic Technicians can be working in the automotive sector, inspecting and repairing cars, to performing ultrasound procedures in the healthcare industry. Their duties include analyzing and collecting data, calibrating equipment, performing diagnostic tests and repairs, and organizing work records and reports. A Diagnostic Technician must have sound knowledge in using technical equipment and adheres to safety regulations when handling any tools.

What does an ekg technician do?

An EKG technician is responsible for conducting laboratory tests using advanced equipment and machines to diagnose and identify patients' conditions with cardiovascular problems. EKG technicians must have excellent knowledge of the process to discuss the procedures and respond to the patients' inquiries and concerns accurately. They help the doctors in diagnosing patients and developing treatment plans upon the interpretation of the results. An EKG technician inspects the stability and efficiency of the equipment regularly to prevent delays and inconsistencies with the results.

Diagnostic technician vs ekg technician salary

Diagnostic technicians and ekg technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Diagnostic TechnicianEKG Technician
Average salary$49,571$35,160
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $77,000Between $28,000 And $43,000
Highest paying CityFresno, CASpringfield, OR
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNorth Dakota
Best paying companyWaymoUC Merced
Best paying industryTelecommunicationHealth Care

Differences between diagnostic technician and ekg technician education

There are a few differences between a diagnostic technician and an ekg technician in terms of educational background:

Diagnostic TechnicianEKG Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 41%Bachelor's Degree, 27%
Most common majorMedical TechnicianMedical Assisting Services
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachEmory University

Diagnostic technician vs ekg technician demographics

Here are the differences between diagnostic technicians' and ekg technicians' demographics:

Diagnostic TechnicianEKG Technician
Average age4345
Gender ratioMale, 66.0% Female, 34.0%Male, 23.5% Female, 76.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 6.0% White, 73.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%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 Percentage8%8%

Differences between diagnostic technician and ekg technician duties and responsibilities

Diagnostic technician example responsibilities.

  • Establish work procedures for the radiology staff.
  • Perform EKG testing on both inpatients and outpatients.
  • Assist in daily maintenance and troubleshooting of PACS.
  • Perform RNA and DNA extraction by using Qiagen kit.
  • Perform cardiology and EKG procedures as directed by medical staff.
  • Operated/Manage ECG, a, and DCG as needed per MD orders.
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Ekg technician example responsibilities.

  • Assist with placement and manage intra-aortic balloon pumps.
  • Monitor patients' blood pressure and heart rate using electrocardiogram equipment during diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.
  • Assist physicians during codes by performing the ECG's and assisting with CPR.
  • Perform EKG and EEG examinations of patients to obtain graphic indications of heart activity
  • Conduct electrocardiogram and other cardiovascular tests to record patients' cardiac activity using specialize electronic test equipment and recording devices.
  • Obtain ECG records of events; assist emergency situations by initiating and/or assisting in emergency procedures prescribe by hospital policies.
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Diagnostic technician vs ekg technician skills

Common diagnostic technician skills
  • Patients, 27%
  • Patient Care, 16%
  • CPR, 13%
  • Radiology, 7%
  • Diagnosis, 4%
  • EEG, 2%
Common ekg technician skills
  • Patients, 24%
  • BLS, 9%
  • Patient Care, 7%
  • Electrocardiogram, 5%
  • CPR, 4%
  • ECG, 3%

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