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Pulmonary function technician vs ekg technician

The differences between pulmonary function 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 pulmonary function technician and an ekg technician. Additionally, a pulmonary function technician has an average salary of $50,458, which is higher than the $35,160 average annual salary of an ekg technician.

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

Pulmonary function technician vs ekg technician overview

Pulmonary Function TechnicianEKG Technician
Yearly salary$50,458$35,160
Hourly rate$24.26$16.90
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs50,95552,679
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 27%
Average age4545
Years of experience22

What does a pulmonary function technician do?

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.

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.

Pulmonary function technician vs ekg technician salary

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

Pulmonary Function TechnicianEKG Technician
Average salary$50,458$35,160
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $75,000Between $28,000 And $43,000
Highest paying City-Springfield, OR
Highest paying state-North Dakota
Best paying company-UC Merced
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between pulmonary function technician and ekg technician education

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

Pulmonary Function TechnicianEKG Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 27%
Most common majorMedical TechnicianMedical Assisting Services
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaEmory University

Pulmonary function technician vs ekg technician demographics

Here are the differences between pulmonary function technicians' and ekg technicians' demographics:

Pulmonary Function TechnicianEKG Technician
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 52.0% Female, 48.0%Male, 23.5% Female, 76.5%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage8%8%

Differences between pulmonary function technician and ekg technician duties and responsibilities

Pulmonary function technician example responsibilities.

  • Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
  • Perform arterial blood gas analysis, routine spirometry, DLCO, and lung volume test.
  • Monitor client's heart rate while exercising on EKG.
  • Perform, monitor, record and interpret electrocardiogram tests.
  • Attend all high risk deliveries, arterial puncture, ventilator management, and EKG's.
  • Administer six minute walk test, Oximetry pulse studies , 02 therapy, and Nebulizer treatment.
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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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Pulmonary function technician vs ekg technician skills

Common pulmonary function technician skills
  • Patients, 25%
  • Respiratory Care, 11%
  • Patient Care, 10%
  • Spirometry, 8%
  • Respiratory Therapy, 6%
  • Test Results, 5%
Common ekg technician skills
  • Patients, 24%
  • BLS, 9%
  • Patient Care, 7%
  • Electrocardiogram, 5%
  • CPR, 4%
  • ECG, 3%

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