Pennsylvania’s EKG technicians are trained health professionals who provide life-saving diagnostic support in local emergency rooms, hospitals, clinics, and in-patient medical facilities.
If you live in Pennsylvania and thinking about pursuing a career as a certified EKG technician – this guide is for you.
Our guide provides an introduction to the world of EKG technicians, including local licensing requirements and schools offering certification-based training.
Table of Contents
Licensing Requirements to Become an EKG Technician in Pennsylvania
Heart monitoring technicians aren’t officially required to have an occupational license to work as an EKG tech in Pennsylvania.
The official route to becoming a PA EKG technician involves taking a certification-based training program.
The most widely accepted certification is the Certified EKG Technician CET issued by the National Healthcareers Association.
Other state, local, and national agencies provide EKG certification training.
However, most local and regional healthcare employers will prefer students to show proof of competency through CET.
The following agencies offer certification options for Pennsylvania trainees.
American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians: ASPT offers regional certification options for PA students.
EKG trainees should note that this regional certification may not be accepted by all employers.
National Healthcareers Association: The NHA administers the nationally recognized Certified EKG Technician exam and issues the CET credential to qualified applicants.
EKG Technician Schools in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s best EKG schools instill students with the practical and theoretical knowledge needed to competently function as independent heart monitoring technicians in local area medical facilities.
The training programs below offer in-person and online options for certification-based EKG training.
Penn State – Hazleton
About the School
The Allied Health Department at PennState Hazleton operates a 50-hour EKG training program for local students interested in starting new careers as certified technicians.
Their vocational training program puts aspiring heart monitoring technicians on the road to national certification.
This program teaches the fundamentals of EKG administration including proper 12-lead placement and follows the American Society of Phlebotomy certification track for regional certification.
Students attend in-person classes twice per week on Monday and Friday evenings.
Courses Offered
- 12-Lead Placement
- EKG Lab
- Cardiac Anatomy and Physiology
- Medical Terminology
- Medical Ethics
Contact Information
- Address: 76 University Drive, Hazleton, Pennsylvania – 18202
- Website: Link
- Phone: 570-450-3180
- Program Costs: $999.00 with lab supplies and textbooks included.
Johnson College
About the School
Scranton area students can get EKG training online through a web-based training program delivered by Johnson College.
Their continuing education department operates an online program that trains students on how to administer EKGs, interpret rhythm strips, and electrophysiology principles of the heart.
JC follows the national CET certification track and offers students the option to complete the required 10 EKGs on live persons in an externship.
Courses Offered
- Electrophysiology of Cardiac Conduction
- Diagnostic Electrocardiography
- Medical Terminology
- 12-Lead EKG Strips
- Cardiac Pharmacology
Contact Information
- Address: Scranton, Pennsylvania – 18508
- Website: Link
- Phone: 570-702-8979
- Program Costs: $1,299.00 with textbooks included and affordable monthly payment plans available.
Northampton Community College
About the School
Northampton Community College has an online EKG program where students can log in to distance-based classes and get training for NHA certification.
Their online EKG school teaches students how to administer life-saving diagnostic tests, recognize and respond to cardiac emergencies, and operate the latest EKG equipment and technology.
NCCs program offers a comprehensive overview in a self-paced format.
Students have up to twelve months to complete the required coursework.
Graduates can then take advantage of the NHA test voucher included in the tuition cost of this program and apply for national certification upon passing the CET exam.
Courses Offered
- EKG Introduction
- Medical Terminology
- EKG Theory
- Cardiac Anatomy and Physiology
- EKG Clinical Experience
Contact Information
- Address: 3835 Green Pond Road, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania – 18020
- Website: Link
- Phone: 855-520-6806
- Program Costs: $495.00 – $2,490.
- This program includes an NHA test voucher and monthly payment options of less than $100.00 per month for qualified students.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Penn State - Hazleton | 76 University Dr, Hazleton, PA 18202, United States |
| Johnson College | 3427 N Main Ave, Scranton, PA 18508, United States |
| Northampton Community College | 3835 Green Pond Rd, Bethlehem, PA 18020, United States |
Pennsylvania EKG Technician – Salary
Salary reports show that Pennsylvania’s cardiac monitoring technicians make an average annual salary of just under $43,000.00 per year.
The earnings potential of local EKGs on the lower end of the salary scale shows an annual income of $37,800.00.
Top earners in PA can make over $50,000.00 per year when working as an EKG tech in the Keystone State.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Philadelphia | $45,500 |
| Pittsburgh | $42,200 |
| Allentown | $43,200 |
| Erie | $39,600 |
| Harrisburg | $41,700 |
| Reading | $42,600 |
| Scranton | $39,800 |
| Bethlehem | $43,200 |
| Lancaster | $42,000 |
| Easton | $43,100 |
Regional Salary in Pennsylvania
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erie, PA | 90 | $51,340 | $24.68 | $80,280 | $32,820 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | 240 | $60,010 | $28.85 | $87,420 | $38,560 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 1,360 | $69,420 | $33.38 | $101,600 | $42,920 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 650 | $68,770 | $33.06 | $139,690 | $38,540 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA | 80 | $67,690 | $32.54 | $85,880 | $38,340 |
| York-Hanover, PA | 120 | $58,040 | $27.91 | $85,150 | $37,990 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become an EKG technician in Pennsylvania?
Students who enroll in self-paced training programs have more control over their completion timeframes and can complete their training in as little as a few weeks.
Most in-person EKG training programs offer a two to four-month completion time frame.
Students are officially eligible to take national certification exams upon successful completion of their certification training.
Who licenses or certifies EKG technicians in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania’s EKG technicians are certified through local or nationally recognized certification agencies.
The training programs above offer certification-based education for students to sit for the CETS administered by the American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians and the CET certification administered by the NHA.
How much do Pennsylvania EKG technicians make?
EKG technicians in Pennsylvania earn between $37,000.00 and $50,000.00 a year on average.
The most important factors affecting their earning potential are the number of years of hands-on experience working in medical facilities and national certification credentials.
EKG Technician Info by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
