How long does it take to become a cardiac monitor tech?

It takes between three months to two years to become a cardiac monitor tech. To become a cardiac monitor tech requires a high school diploma and completion of a formal training program in telemetry or cardiac monitoring. Programs vary in length and scope, ranging from a few-month certificate program to a two-year associate's degree program.

How much does a monitor tech make an hour?

A monitor tech makes, on average, $16.84 an hour. The range in how much a monitor tech can make varies from as little as $14 an hour to as much as $36 an hour. Factors such as location and company all impact the hourly earning potential for a monitor tech.

How To Become A Monitor Technician: What It Is and Career Path

What is a monitor technician and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

A monitor technician operates and maintains specialized equipment used to monitor patients' vital signs in hospitals and healthcare facilities. They use electrocardiogram (ECG) machines, pulse oximeters, and devices to track heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, and other important metrics. Monitor technicians work to recognize abnormalities in the data they collect and alert medical staff if a patient's condition changes. They typically work in hospitals, but may also appear in outpatient clinics and other healthcare settings.

ScoreMonitor TechnicianUS Average

Salary

2.8

Avg. Salary $35,460

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

9.1

Growth rate 10%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.4

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.91%

Asian 13.87%

Black or African American 10.58%

Hispanic or Latino 12.77%

Unknown 3.28%

White 58.58%

Gender

female 65.35%

male 34.65%

Age - 44

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44

Stress level

9.1

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

6.9

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.9

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a monitor technician?

Pros

High demand for monitor technicians in healthcare settings
Opportunities for career advancement, including becoming a registered nurse
Possibility of working flexible hours, including weekends and nights
Potential for overtime pay and bonuses
Opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology

Cons

Intense workload, with the need for constant attention to detail
Long hours spent standing or sitting in front of computer screens
Frequent exposure to distressing medical situations, such as cardiac arrests or patient deaths
Possibility of working irregular hours, including overnight shifts
Possibility of encountering difficult patients or families who may be uncooperative or hostile

Key steps to become a monitor technician

Explore monitor technician education requirements

Most common monitor technician degrees

Bachelor's

32.8 %

Associate

28.8 %

High School Diploma

15.3 %

Start to develop specific monitor technician skills

Skills	Percentages
Patients	21.32%
EKG	12.46%
BLS	8.07%
Medical Terminology	5.77%
Cardiac Rhythms	5.59%

Complete relevant monitor technician training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New monitor technicians learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a monitor technician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real monitor technician resumes.

Gain additional monitor technician certifications

Monitor technician certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific monitor technician certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for monitor technicians include Certified EKG Technician (CET) and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).

More About Certifications

Research monitor technician duties and responsibilities

Assist with placement and manage intra-aortic balloon pumps.
Operate electrocardiogram (EKG), cardiac treadmill testing equipment and record data.
Administer care to patients in a LATC setting, support with ambulation and rehabilitation procedure.
Ensure telemetry boxes are returned from the floors when patients are discharge or transfer to ICU.

Prepare your monitor technician resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your monitor technician resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a monitor technician resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable monitor technician resume templates

Build a professional monitor technician resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your monitor technician resume.

Apply for monitor technician jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a monitor technician job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do monitor technicians rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Monitor technician reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2022

Pros

I like the Patient care part of the job. Seeing the patients get better and go home

Cons

Nothing

A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2022