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The differences between telemetry technicians and cardiac 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 telemetry technician and a cardiac technician. Additionally, a cardiac technician has an average salary of $39,698, which is higher than the $35,758 average annual salary of a telemetry technician.
The top three skills for a telemetry technician include patients, EKG and patient care. The most important skills for a cardiac technician are patients, BLS, and CPR.
| Telemetry Technician | Cardiac Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $35,758 | $39,698 |
| Hourly rate | $17.19 | $19.09 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 63,712 | 50,689 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 35% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A telemetry technician is responsible for operating the telemetry machine to identify patients' heart rates and rhythms. Telemetry technicians monitor the patients' heart condition by attaching medical equipment to the patients' chest and record findings for the doctor's reference. They also assist with related medical operations and treatment procedures and discuss the processes with the patient. A telemetry technician must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in sorting clients' records and medical treatment plans.
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.
Telemetry technicians and cardiac technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Telemetry Technician | Cardiac Technician | |
| Average salary | $35,758 | $39,698 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $44,000 | Between $31,000 And $50,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fremont, CA | Fargo, ND |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | University of California, Berkeley | Brigham and Women's Hospital |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a telemetry technician and a cardiac technician in terms of educational background:
| Telemetry Technician | Cardiac Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 35% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| Most common major | Nursing | Medical Technician |
| Most common college | Emory University | Emory University |
Here are the differences between telemetry technicians' and cardiac technicians' demographics:
| Telemetry Technician | Cardiac Technician | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 37.4% Female, 62.6% | Male, 34.4% Female, 65.6% |
| 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% |