"How long does it take to become an ekg technician in Tennessee?"

"Most paths into the ekg technician field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both."

"Do ekg technicians need a license in Tennessee?"

"No statewide license is required for ekg technicians in Tennessee. Most employers expect industry certifications such as CET (Certified EKG Technician)."

"What apprenticeships are available for ekg technicians in Tennessee?"

"In Tennessee, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Tennessee Department of Labor And Workforce Development - Apprenticeship, which works with employers and trade union locals to register programs. See the apprenticeship section above for office contact details."

How to Become An EKG Technician in Tennessee

Q: "How much do ekg technicians earn in Tennessee?"

"According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), ekg technicians in Tennessee earned a median annual wage of approximately $76,650 (using the related \"Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians\" BLS category, since ekg technician wages are not tracked separately). Employment concentration in Tennessee is roughly 0.78 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole."

Q: "What is the job outlook for ekg technicians in Tennessee?"

"Tennessee currently employs approximately 1,030 workers in the related \"Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians\" BLS category, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 3.0% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034."

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Tennessee cardiovascular technologists and technicians earn a median annual wage of $76,650 ($36.85/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 1,030 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 3.1% above the national median of $74,310 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $76,650 ($36.85/hr)
25th percentile: $46,290 per year
75th percentile: $86,510 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $103,970 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $39,600 per year
Workers employed in Tennessee: 1,030
Versus national median: 3.1% above the U.S. median of $74,310
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.78 - this occupation is less concentrated in Tennessee than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Tennessee employs approximately 1,030 workers in the related “Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians” category (SOC 29-2031), with a median annual wage of $76,650 ¹. Nationally, employment in this category is projected to grow 3.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 3,800 openings per year ². This page covers how to become an ekg technician in Tennessee, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.

A note on salary data: The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not track ekg technician salaries as a separate category. The wage figures on this page are based on the closest matching BLS classification: Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians (SOC 29-2031). Actual ekg technician earnings may vary.

Quick Answers About Becoming An EKG Technician in Tennessee

How do I become an ekg technician in Tennessee? Tennessee does not require a state license for ekg technicians, but employers typically expect industry certifications such as CET (Certified EKG Technician). Complete a training program to prepare.

How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

Do I need a license in Tennessee? No state license is required, but certifications such as CET (Certified EKG Technician) are expected by most employers.

What do ekg technicians earn in Tennessee? The BLS does not track ekg technician wages separately. Based on the related “Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians” category, the median annual wage in Tennessee is $76,650, with entry-level wages around $39,600 and experienced workers earning $103,970 or more ¹.

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
Median wage (Tennessee): $76,650 per year (based on related “Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians” category) ¹

EKG Technician Certification Options in Tennessee

Tennessee does not require a state license to work as an ekg technician. However, industry certifications can strengthen your resume and may be required by employers.

Common certifications for ekg technicians include:

CET (Certified EKG Technician)

For more information, visit the NHA - National Healthcareer Association ³. Contact training programs in Tennessee for details on certification preparation courses.

EKG Technician Wages by Metro Area in Tennessee

Note: The BLS does not track ekg technician wages separately. The data below is based on the closest matching category: Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians (SOC 29-2031).

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), cardiovascular technologists and technicians wages in Tennessee vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin	470	$80,320	$75,540	$39,880	$108,770
Memphis	220	$66,320	$64,630	$39,410	$97,520
Knoxville	130	$72,100	$69,160	$37,200	$94,750
Chattanooga	110	$77,700	$75,320	$39,200	$99,470

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

Top Metros for Ekg technicians in Tennessee

The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest ekg technician employment within Tennessee according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage
Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin	470	$80,320
Memphis	220	$66,320
Knoxville	130	$72,100
Chattanooga	110	$77,700

Explore More Trades in Tennessee

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for ekg technicians in Tennessee? Tennessee employs approximately 1,030 workers in the related “Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians” category ¹. Nationally, employment in this category is projected to grow 3.0% from 2024 to 2034 ².

What training programs are available in Tennessee? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Tennessee.

How much do ekg technicians earn in Tennessee compared to the national average? The median annual wage for ekg technicians in Tennessee is $76,650 (based on the related “Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians” category), which is $9,390 above the national median of $67,260 according to BLS data ¹.

Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
NHA - National Healthcareer Association: https://www.nhanow.com/ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)