by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Cardiopulmonary Technology covers Cardiopulmonary Technology/technologist. A Program That Prepares Individuals, Under The Supervision Of Physicians And Nurses, To Perform Both Cardiovascular And Pulmonary Diagnostic And Therapeutic Procedures. Includes Instruction In Cardiopulmonary Pharmacology; Anatomy And Physiology Of The Heart, Peripheral Vascular System, And Lungs; Pulmonary And Cardiovascular Disease And Dysfunction; Peripheral Vascular Doppler Procedures; Invasive And Non-Invasive Cardiology; Pulmonary Function Tests; Blood Gas Analysis; Echocardiograph Procedures; Bronchoscopy; Patient Management; Patient History Taking And Record-Keeping; Applications To Clinical Research; And Emergency Procedures. Read on to learn the essential details every cardiopulmonary technology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering cardiopulmonary technology programs.
In the U.S., cardiopulmonary technology is a widely-pursued major, with 45 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Cardiopulmonary Technology Schools ranking analyzes these 6 schools to determine the best overall colleges for cardiopulmonary technology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of cardiopulmonary technology programs later in this article.
Studies in Cardiopulmonary Technology build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations cardiopulmonary technology graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a cardiopulmonary technology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a cardiopulmonary technology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several cardiopulmonary technology degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 10 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 13 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 20 |
People currently working in careers related to cardiopulmonary technology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 24.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 18.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 17.6% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 13.0% |
| Master’s degree | 11.4% |
| Some college courses | 7.5% |
| Doctoral degree | 2.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 2.2% |
| First professional degree | 0.6% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in cardiopulmonary technology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying cardiopulmonary technology can lead to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to cardiopulmonary technology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to cardiopulmonary technology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Patient Representatives | 3,368,169 | 4.8% |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | 3,206,816 | 12.2% |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technologists | 2,908,248 | 9.4% |
| Neurodiagnostic Technologists | 1,852,560 | 14.1% |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | 1,630,916 | -0.3% |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of cardiopulmonary technology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $67,845 |
| 4 years | $61,295 |
| 5 years | $69,015 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for cardiopulmonary technology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers cardiopulmonary technology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $153,940 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technologists | $153,819 |
| Neurodiagnostic Technologists | $81,316 |
| Patient Representatives | $47,419 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $36,739 |
With 6 different cardiopulmonary technology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased cardiopulmonary technology school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in cardiopulmonary technology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
