Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
Machines can already do 22% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 44%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 22% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2037, and 44% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 62,960 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $74,310 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 92% for contact with people.
- Also called: Cardiac Cath Lab Technologist (Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Technologist), Cardiac Catheterization Technician, Cardiac Technician, Cardio Tech (Cardiovascular Technician).
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 21% | 3% to 25% | |
| Monitor patients' blood pressure and heart rate using electrocardiogram (EKG) equipment during diagnostic or therapeutic procedures to notify the physician if something appears wrong | 8% | 36% to 68% | |
| Obtain and record patient identification, medical history, or test results | 8% | 76% to 82% | |
| Attach electrodes to the patients' chests, arms, and legs, connect electrodes to leads from the electrocardiogram (EKG) machine, and operate the EKG machine to obtain a reading | 7% | 3% to 25% | |
| Assist physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac or peripheral vascular treatments, such as implanting pacemakers or assisting with balloon angioplasties to treat blood vessel blockages | 7% | 3% to 25% | |
| Explain testing procedures to patients to obtain cooperation and reduce anxiety | 5% | 36% to 57% | |
| Monitor patients' comfort and safety during tests, alerting physicians to abnormalities or changes in patient responses | 5% | 32% to 60% | |
| Prepare and position patients for testing | 5% | 3% to 25% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills cardiovascular technologists and technicians use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers37% of tasks by 2035 · US median $96,590
- Emergency Medical Technicians42% of tasks by 2035 · US median $44,470
- Neurodiagnostic Technologists37% of tasks by 2035 · US median $50,290
- Surgical Technologists35% of tasks by 2035 · US median $64,650
What should you do about it?
Open this job in the Workforce Starburst to see it for your country, then use these to act on it.
Watch This Job
Get told when the outlook for this job changes.
Free planSkills to learn next
The skills that make this job, or the next one, last longer.
In the StarburstCheck your readiness
Ten quick questions on how ready you are.
FreeAsk Vantage
Ask what this job means for you and get a sourced answer.
Free to askFutures Academy courses
Courses matched to your gaps.
Coming soonPay trend
Where pay for this job is heading.
Coming soonTeam plan
Every role in your team, side by side, with a plan for each.
Pro and CorporateShared workspace
Work through it with your team, with notes and decisions kept.
Pro and Corporate
Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2037. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of cardiovascular technologists and technicians?
Machines can do 22% of the tasks of cardiovascular technologists and technicians today and 44% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 29-2031.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/cardiovascular-technologists-and-technicians/