Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians vs Respiratory Therapists: $74K vs $82K Median Pay

Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians vs Respiratory Therapists: what changes?

Consider Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians if you want to conduct tests on pulmonary or cardiovascular systems of patients for diagnostic, therapeutic, or research purposes. Consider Respiratory Therapists if you would rather assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders. Both list associate's degree; compare training and prior experience separately.

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians and Respiratory Therapists. List the duties, credentials, prior experience, and paid training each employer actually asks for. Try a supervised class or sample project from each field before choosing a program.

BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections. National medians are not starting offers. Occupation size is not a count of vacancies. View the BLS data.

Compare the practical differences

Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians

National median pay (2025): $74,310
Route into the job: Associate's degree
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate: Conduct electrocardiogram (EKG), phonocardiogram, echocardiogram, stress testing, or other cardiovascular tests to record patients' cardiac activity, using specialized electronic test equipment, recording devices, or laboratory instruments.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 3,400

Know before you choose

The work routinely happens in close physical proximity to other people; personal space is limited.

See the full Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians brief

Respiratory Therapists

National median pay (2025): $82,280
Route into the job: Associate's degree
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate: Provide emergency care, such as artificial respiration, external cardiac massage, or assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 8,600

Know before you choose

Exposure to illness or infection is a recurring part of the work context, even when safety procedures are followed.

See the full Respiratory Therapists brief

How the national numbers differ

Respiratory Therapists has the edge on projected growth

Respiratory Therapists is at 8.5% projected growth, compared with 3.7% projected growth for Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians.

Respiratory Therapists has the edge on annual openings

Respiratory Therapists is at 8,600 annual openings, compared with 3,400 annual openings for Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians.

Respiratory Therapists has the edge on median pay

Respiratory Therapists is at $82,280, compared with $74,310 for Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians.

54.3/ 100

Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians

70.5/ 100

Respiratory Therapists

Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.

Detailed evidence

Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians vs Respiratory Therapists

Dimension	Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians	Respiratory Therapists
Median pay (2025)	$74,310	$82,280
Pay percentile	63.9 percentile	74.3 percentile
Projected growth (2025–2035)	3.7%	8.5%
Annual openings (2025–2035)	3,400	8,600
2025 employment	64,500	142,000
How you qualify	Associate's degree	Associate's degree
O*NET preparation group	Job Zone 3	Job Zone 3
Related work experience	No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.	No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
On-the-job training	BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.	BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.

The table reports national benchmarks and reviewed work descriptions. It does not rate personal suitability, job security, or physical safety.

Read Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians brief Read Respiratory Therapists brief

Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians vs Respiratory Therapists: what changes?

The facts most likely to affect your decision

Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians

Respiratory Therapists

How the national numbers differ

Respiratory Therapists has the edge on projected growth

Respiratory Therapists has the edge on annual openings

Respiratory Therapists has the edge on median pay

Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians vs Respiratory Therapists

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