EKG technicians monitor heart rhythms. Surgical technicians assist in the operating room. Both careers offer fast, stable paths into healthcare—but the work, training, and pay are very different.
EKG certification is optional but often preferred by employers.
Many surgical techs start in certificate programs and later earn an associate degree.
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Salary:
EKG technicians earn $67,260 per year on average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Job Outlook:
EKG technician jobs are expected to grow 4% from 2023 to 2033, according to BLS.
Salary:
Surgical technologists earn $62,830 per year on average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Job Outlook:
Surgical tech jobs are expected to grow 7% from 2023 to 2033, according to BLS.
Choose EKG technician if you want:
Choose surgical technician if you want:
Both careers offer fast entry into healthcare. The ekg technician role is ideal if you’re drawn to heart diagnostics and prefer structured testing. The surgical tech role is better if you want to be in the OR, assisting in real-time procedures.
Dreambound makes it easy to find ekg technician training or surgical tech school near you—online or in person.
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Justine Tacmo is part of the Growth team at Dreambound. He assists the organization by updating critical information so students receive the most up-to-date information for their desired trade schools. Besides, he has a passion for writing and expresses it through poetry, covering themes of life, love, and mental health, which is also his advocacy.
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An EKG technician, also called an electrocardiograph technician, tracks a patient’s heart activity using EKG machines. Their readings help doctors detect heart disease, monitor progress, and make fast decisions.
An EKG shows the electrical activity of the heart in real time, which helps detect heart attacks or irregular rhythms.
Most EKG technicians work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and cardiac care units.
A surgical technician, or surgical technologist, is part of the operating room team. They assist before, during, and after surgeries to ensure safety, cleanliness, and speed.
Surgical techs work in hospitals, outpatient surgical centers, and specialty clinics.
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