by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Perfusion Technology/Perfusionist involves the study of Perfusion Technology/perfusionist. A Program That Prepares Individuals, Under The Supervision Of Physicians And Nurses, To Operate Extracorporeal Circulation And Autotransfusion Equipment During Medical Procedures And Surgeries Where The Support Or Temporary Replacement Of A Patient's Own Respiratory Or Circulatory System Is Required. Includes Instruction In Equipment Selection And Operation, Physician And Medical Team Consultation, Patient Condition Monitoring, Procedural Techniques, And Principles Of Respiratory And Circulatory Physiology. Read on to learn the key facts every perfusion technology/perfusionist major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering perfusion technology/perfusionist programs.
Nationwide, perfusion technology/perfusionist is a widely-pursued major, with 156 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Perfusion Technology/Perfusionist Schools ranking analyzes these 14 schools to determine the best overall colleges for perfusion technology/perfusionist students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of perfusion technology/perfusionist programs later in this article.
Coursework for Perfusion Technology/Perfusionist build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations perfusion technology/perfusionist graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a perfusion technology/perfusionist program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a perfusion technology/perfusionist major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several perfusion technology/perfusionist 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 156 |
People currently working in careers related to perfusion technology/perfusionist tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 38.2% |
| Master’s degree | 15.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 10.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 8.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 8.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 6.9% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 5.7% |
| Some college courses | 4.5% |
| First professional degree | 2.2% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in perfusion technology/perfusionist careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying perfusion technology/perfusionist opens doors to numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to perfusion technology/perfusionist.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to perfusion technology/perfusionist.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | 1,630,916 | -0.3% |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of perfusion technology/perfusionist graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow 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 perfusion technology/perfusionist graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers perfusion technology/perfusionist grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $36,739 |
With 14 different perfusion technology/perfusionist programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased perfusion technology/perfusionist school rankings to help you.
Students interested in perfusion technology/perfusionist, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
