Cardiac Catheterization Technologist Salary Guide

A cath lab technologist is a type of cardiovascular technologist. This allied health professional works in a cardiac catheterization lab, performing cardiovascular procedures and tests to diagnose and treat heart disease.

Cath lab techs manage and operate cardiac imaging equipment, prepare patients and answer questions, administer topical anesthesia, monitor patient vitals, assist physicians with procedures and respond in emergencies. They may help physicians maneuver the catheter during cardiac catheterization, where a tube is threaded through a blood vessel to the heart to take images. They also assist during the insertion of stents and pacemakers.

How do you become a cath lab technologist?

To train as a cath lab technologist, enroll in an associate or a bachelor's degree program in cardiovascular technology, specializing in invasive cardiovascular technology. These programs usually provide classroom and clinical training.

Confirm in advance whether your state requires a license to work as a cath lab tech to ensure you meet education requirements. Some states may require you to hold a cardiovascular technology credential in addition to your degree. Even if your state doesn't require certification, earning professional credentials demonstrates your expertise to employers.

What credentials/licensing does a cath lab technologist require?

Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) offers numerous credentials for cardiovascular technologists, depending on the area of specialty. The Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) credential is specifically for those working in cardiac catheterization. Most jobs require Basic Life Support and/or Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification.

Average Cardiac Catheterization Technologist Salary

$49.82/hour

The average salary for a Cardiac Catheterization Technologist is $49.82 per hour. This is 13% higher than the practicing US average of $43.20.

Last updated on March 28, 2024. Based on active jobs on Vivian.com.

Salaries for Cardiac Catheterization Technologist compared to Allied Health Professional National Averages

$49.82/hour

13% higher than the practicing US average.

$43.20/hour

United States

Where do Cardiac Catheterization Technologists get paid the most?
StateAverage Hourly SalaryMax Hourly Salary
Florida$33$42
What are the highest paying Employers and Agencies for Cardiac Catheterization Technologist jobs?

Last updated on March 28, 2024. Information based on active jobs on Vivian.com and pay data from BLS and around the web.

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Cardiac Catheterization Technologist Career Guide

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How can you increase your pay as a cath lab technologist?

Cath lab tech jobs often pay more in states where your skills are in high demand. On April 20, 2023, high-demand states included Texas, where some staff cath lab tech jobs in Fort Worth and Houston paid between $27 and $51 per hour, per Vivian Health’s salary data.

Consider certifications that show your versatility in the cath lab to stand out from other candidates. Demonstrate your expertise in ECG and stress testing as a Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT), interpreting cardiac rhythms as a Certified Rhythm Analysis Technician (CRAT) or vascular ultrasound technology as a Registered Vascular Specialist (RVS).

How much does a staff cath lab technologist make?

A staff cath lab technologist earned an average of $28.66 per hour, according to Vivian's salary data sourced on April 19, 2023. However, salaries ranged between $19 and $45 per hour, based on experience and geographic location.

Is cath lab technology a growing career?

There were 58,100 cardiovascular technologist jobs in the United States in May 2021, per U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates. This figure is expected to increase by 5% to 60,800 jobs by 2031. BLS expects rising demand for cardiovascular technologists due to increased needs for heart disease diagnoses and treatments, especially among a growing population of older adults.

Which employers/facilities have the highest pay?

Staff cath lab technologists earn the highest average salaries in outpatient care centers and medical and diagnostic labs, although fewer jobs are available in these settings than in hospitals.

How does cath lab technologists pay compare to similar healthcare jobs?

An average staff cath lab technologist's salary was $28.66 per hour, according to Vivian's data sourced on April 19, 2023. On the same date, the average hourly rate of staff EKG technicians was $28.66, nuclear medicine technologists was $30.34, radiology technicians was $35.56 and vascular sonographers was $36.70.

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