Career comparison
Cardiovascular Technologist vs. Medical Assistant
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Cardiovascular technologists earn more at the median ($74,310 vs. $45,690), while medical assistants usually get to work faster (9–12 months of training). Cardiovascular technologists run heart and blood vessel tests that help doctors diagnose disease. Medical assistants room patients, take vitals, give injections and keep clinic records accurate.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Cardiovascular Technologist | Medical Assistant | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $74,310 ($35.73/hr) | $45,690 ($21.97/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $39,000 – $121,350 | $36,050 – $59,310 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +3.7% (about as fast as average) | +12.9% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 3,400 | 109,700 |
| Typical entry education | Associate's degree | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Training time | 2 years | 9–12 months |
| Key credential | RDCS | CMA (AAMA) |
| Work setting | Technologists work in hospitals, cardiology clinics and imaging centers, including cath labs.. | Most medical assistants work in physician offices, outpatient clinics, urgent care centers and hospitals. |
What each job does
Cardiovascular Technologist
- Perform EKGs and stress tests
- Do echocardiograms
- Scan blood vessels with ultrasound
- Assist in cardiac catheterization
- Monitor patients during procedures
Medical Assistant
- Room patients, verify identity and record the chief complaint and medical history
- Measure vital signs: blood pressure, pulse, respirations, temperature, height, weight and oxygen saturation
- Prepare for and assist with exams, minor procedures and specimen collection
- Administer injections and vaccines and run point-of-care tests where state law allows
- Document visits accurately in the electronic health record
How they’re similar
Both careers involve helping others, hands-on work, indoor work, and teamwork. Both are part of the healthcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose cardiovascular technologist if…
- I’m interested in the heart
- I like technology
- I stay calm in emergencies
Choose medical assistant if…
- I stay calm around needles, blood and people who feel sick
- I like switching between hands-on tasks and computer work
- I can explain things clearly to nervous or frustrated people
Still torn? Take the Cardiovascular Technologist fit quiz and the Medical Assistant fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, cardiovascular technologist or medical assistant?
Cardiovascular Technologists earn more at the median: $74,310 versus $45,690 for medical assistants, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Medical Assistants typically train faster (9–12 months) than cardiovascular technologists (2 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects medical assistants to grow +12.9% from 2025–35, compared with +3.7% for cardiovascular technologists.