Telemetry technician vs technician

The differences between telemetry technicians and 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 technician. Additionally, a technician has an average salary of $38,045, 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 technician are patients, customer service, and patient care.

Telemetry technician vs technician overview

	Telemetry Technician	Technician
Yearly salary	$35,758	$38,045
Hourly rate	$17.19	$18.29
Growth rate	10%	1%
Number of jobs	63,712	596,842
Job satisfaction	-	2
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 35%	Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Average age	45	40
Years of experience	2	2

What does a telemetry technician do?

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.

What does a technician do?

Technicians are skilled professionals who primarily work with technology in different industries. They are knowledgeable about the technical aspects of the various items they work with. They are usually working with electricity or with technological advancements. Technicians may be assigned to do the construction of equipment or materials related to their field of study. They may also be assigned to conduct diagnostics and other maintenance activities to ensure that the equipment works properly. Technicians may also be required to conduct basic repairs in case of problems. It is important that technicians have good analytical skills and decision-making skills.

Telemetry technician vs technician salary

Telemetry technicians and technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Telemetry Technician	Technician
Average salary	$35,758	$38,045
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $44,000	Between $24,000 And $58,000
Highest paying City	Fremont, CA	San Jose, CA
Highest paying state	California	Hawaii
Best paying company	University of California, Berkeley	Microsoft
Best paying industry	Health Care	Telecommunication

Differences between telemetry technician and technician education

There are a few differences between a telemetry technician and a technician in terms of educational background:

	Telemetry Technician	Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 35%	Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Most common major	Nursing	Business
Most common college	Emory University	-

Telemetry technician vs technician demographics

Here are the differences between telemetry technicians' and technicians' demographics:

	Telemetry Technician	Technician
Average age	45	40
Gender ratio	Male, 37.4% Female, 62.6%	Male, 75.2% Female, 24.8%
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, 9.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 4.9% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	8%	2%

Differences between telemetry technician and technician duties and responsibilities

Telemetry technician example responsibilities.

Observe patients being monitor while in the ICU and the Med/Surge unit and reporting any abnormal findings to the RN.
Monitor patients and administer EKG.
Utilize varied medical equipment including telemetry monitors, vital sign monitors and lifting equipment to care for patients.
Provide continuous observation of monitor ECG rhythms for patients on telemetry and report pertinent information to appropriate nursing personnel.
Pass instruments, sponges, and suture to surgical team.
Assist in code situations by providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Technician example responsibilities.

Achieve multiple ASE certifications within first year of employment.
Implement and manage UHF radio base stations, repeaters, and command network, effectively linking all regional headquarters.
Manage telecommunications installation and repair for hospital Nortel network.
Maintain numerous automate scripts to assist in managing Linux systems.
Manage, troubleshot and repair multiple wireless technologies including fiber optic transmission switches.
Install peripherals including printers, fax machines, scanners, and smartphones.

Telemetry technician vs technician skills

Common telemetry technician skills

Patients, 26%
EKG, 15%
Patient Care, 9%
Customer Service, 8%
Rhythm Interpretation, 4%
ICU, 4%

Common technician skills

Patients, 16%
Customer Service, 14%
Patient Care, 8%
Hand Tools, 6%
Diagnosis, 5%
Preventative Maintenance, 4%

Telemetry Technician vs. similar jobs

Telemetry Technician related careers

Telemetry Technician related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Healthcare Practitioner and Technical Industry
Telemetry Technician
Telemetry Technician vs Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse healthcare practitioner and technical jobs