EKG technician salary: how much does an EKG tech make?
BLS reports EKG technicians in “cardiovascular technologists and technicians,” a group with a median of $74,310 a year ($35.73 an hour). That median includes cardiac sonographers and cath lab technologists, who need more training; entry-level EKG techs are usually nearer the lower end, where the bottom 25% earn under $47,890 ($23.02 an hour).
EKG tech salary range
BLS May 2025, cardiovascular technologists and technicians:
| Pay level | Per year | Per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Bottom 10% | $39,000 | $18.75 |
| Lower 25% | $47,890 | $23.02 |
| Median | $74,310 | $35.73 |
| Upper 25% | $98,110 | $47.17 |
| Top 10% | $121,350 | $58.34 |
EKG technician salary by state
State medians for the whole cardiovascular technologist group, BLS May 2025:
| State | Group median per year |
|---|---|
| Utah | $113,510 |
| Hawaii | $111,730 |
| Massachusetts | $105,580 |
| Rhode Island | $104,000 |
| Idaho | $100,100 |
| District of Columbia | $99,380 |
| Oregon | $99,240 |
| Connecticut | $94,940 |
| Colorado | $94,190 |
| New York | $89,570 |
| Delaware | $87,640 |
| Maryland | $86,440 |
| Wyoming | $84,140 |
| Washington | $83,790 |
| New Hampshire | $83,100 |
| Montana | $82,850 |
| New Jersey | $82,710 |
| Maine | $82,050 |
| Michigan | $80,650 |
| Indiana | $79,380 |
| Ohio | $79,270 |
| Alaska | $79,040 |
| Iowa | $78,850 |
| California | $78,170 |
| Georgia | $78,070 |
| Florida | $77,140 |
| Virginia | $76,880 |
| Tennessee | $76,650 |
| Arizona | $74,900 |
| Arkansas | $74,800 |
| Wisconsin | $74,380 |
| Missouri | $73,680 |
| Minnesota | $71,520 |
| Nevada | $71,240 |
| Vermont | $69,620 |
| Kansas | $69,060 |
| South Dakota | $67,290 |
| North Dakota | $65,890 |
| Illinois | $61,870 |
| Kentucky | $60,980 |
| Nebraska | $60,000 |
| South Carolina | $59,170 |
| Pennsylvania | $58,090 |
| North Carolina | $55,460 |
| Texas | $53,000 |
| Louisiana | $50,050 |
| Alabama | $47,650 |
| New Mexico | $47,340 |
| West Virginia | $45,910 |
| Oklahoma | $44,900 |
| Mississippi | $38,000 |
EKG tech vs. other entry-level healthcare jobs
| Job (BLS May 2025) | Bottom 10% | Median | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phlebotomist | $35,780 | $45,230 | $58,780 |
| Medical assistant | $36,050 | $45,690 | $59,310 |
| Nursing assistant (CNA) | $33,940 | $42,260 | $51,980 |
Adding echocardiography (cardiac ultrasound) or cath lab training is the usual way to move toward the top of the range: see cardiac sonographer salary.
EKG Technician take-home pay by state (2026)
2026 federal brackets and standard deduction, Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% plus 0.9% above $200,000 ($250,000 joint), and each state's 2026 income tax. Local income taxes, state disability or paid-leave payroll taxes and other deductions are not included. Estimate only, not tax advice.
Common questions
How much does an EKG technician make?
BLS doesn't report EKG techs alone. Their group's median is $74,310, but the bottom 25% earn under $47,890, closer to typical entry-level EKG pay.
How much does an EKG tech make an hour?
The bottom 25% of the group earn under $23.02 an hour and the median is $35.73.
Which state pays EKG techs the most?
For the cardiovascular technologist group, Utah has the highest median at $113,510.
How long does EKG training take?
Usually a few weeks to a few months in a certificate program; certification such as the Certified EKG Technician (CET) helps with hiring.
What pays more than EKG tech?
Cardiac sonography and cath lab roles; the top 25% of the cardiovascular group earn over $98,110.
Sources
- BLS: Cardiovascular technologists and technicians (29-2031)
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists
Related
Last reviewed November 5, 2026. BLS doesn't separate EKG technicians from other cardiovascular technologists, so the percentiles are the best official guide. Figures are gross pay before taxes and benefits. General information, not career or financial advice.