Working in a medical profession often requires people to complete medical school or a post-graduate education program.
Many people who live in Texas may have responsibilities that do not allow them to commit to years of university study.
EKG technicians benefit from working in a healthcare career that does not require the years of study that is required for many medical professions.
They perform important duties, including attaching electrodes in the proper place on a patient’s body.
EKG technicians position the patient and perform the test.
They report the results to the physician who ordered the EKG.
Learning how to become an EKG technician in Texas can lead to a career with a good salary that does not require years of education or training.
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Licensing Requirements to Become an EKG Technician in Texas
The state of Texas does not have licensing requirements for EKG technicians.
Residents who want to become EKG technicians need to be aware that although there is no state licensing requirement, many employers have their own requirements for certification or licensure.
Employers often require that applicants have successfully completed an EKG technician training or education program.
Many schools in Texas offer programs that train students to work as EKG technicians.
The programs often prepare students to sit for exams.
5 EKG Technician Schools in Texas
The EKG programs offered by schools in Texas prepare graduates to start their career as an entry-level EKG technician.
University of Houston 
The Certified EKG Technician program at the University of Houston is delivered in a 100 percent online format.
The program has open enrollment, so students may start at any time.
Students must have a high school diploma or GED to enroll in the program.
The curriculum includes courses that prepare students to sit for the Certified EKG Technician (CET) exam through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
Sample courses include The Cardiovascular System, Lead Placement and Artifacts, and EKG Analysis: Determining the Heart Rhythm.
The 12-month program costs $1,995.
It includes a voucher for prepaid access to sit for the CET exam.
Tyler Junior College 
Tyler Junior College offers an online EKG technician program.
Students study at their own pace, engage in interactive learning modules, and have access to 24-hour support.
Learn the role of the EKG technician, the anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system, and the basic EKG interpretation of normal rhythms and arrhythmias.
Participate in student exercises, lab activities, and animated simulations.
Students have the opportunity to sit for state and national exams.
The program tuition is $1,199.
University of Texas at El Paso 
The EKG Technician Certificate Program at the University of Texas at El Paso prepares students to become EKG technicians through four main content modules and one advanced module.
Some topics and courses in the program include Calculating the Heart Rate, Medical Terminology Related to Electrocardiography, Lead Placement for 12-Lead Electrocardiography, and A Review of Artificial Pacemakers.
The six-month program includes sitting for national certification.
Students are eligible to sit for a minimum of two national exams.
The exams include the American Society of Phlebotomy Technician (ASPT) Certified EKG Technician exam and the National Healthcareer Association EKG Technician (CET) certification.
The program consists of 375 course contact hours.
Alamo Colleges District 
The Electrocardiography (EKG) Technician program at the Alamo Colleges District is a hybrid program.
Students must have a high school diploma or a GED.
They must have access to a computer or tablet and must have internet access.
Students must also provide proof that they received the required immunizations.
The program includes Medical Terminology, Electrocardiography, and EKG Lab and Externship.
It also includes the course EKG Certification Prep.
The eight-month program includes 272 contact hours.
The tuition is $3,774.
Dallas College 
Students who enroll in the Electrocardiography (EKG) Technician program at Dallas College learn to work in a variety of settings.
They learn about basic cardiovascular anatomy and physiology, and the basic EKG procedures.
Students also learn about the interpretation of basic dysrhythmias, and treatment modalities.
Program courses include EKG Technician and CPR for Healthcare Providers.
The tuition is $15, plus $3.75 per contact hour for externship courses.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| University of Houston | 4300 Martin Luther King Blvd, Houston, TX 77204, United States |
| Tyler Junior College | 1400 E 5th St, Tyler, TX 75701, United States |
| University of Texas at El Paso | 500 W University Ave, El Paso, TX 79968, United States |
| Alamo Colleges District | 201 W Dewey Pl, San Antonio, TX 78212, United States |
| Dallas College | 1601 Botham Jean Blvd, Dallas, TX 75215, United States |
Salary
The January 2024 average salary for EKG technicians in Texas was $42,000.
The setting where an EKG technician works and their experience may affect their salary.
The city where an EKG technician works in Texas may also affect their salary.
An EKG technician who works in Abilene has an average salary of $38,600, while an EKG technician who works in Dallas has an average salary of $42,500.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Houston | $43,600 |
| Dallas | $42,600 |
| San Antonio | $41,300 |
| Austin | $42,100 |
| El Paso | $37,500 |
| Fort Worth | $41,700 |
| Arlington | $41,700 |
| Corpus Christi | $40,200 |
| Plano | $42,600 |
| Garland | $42,600 |
Regional Salary in Texas
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene, TX | ** | $46,260 | $22.24 | $74,110 | $30,930 |
| Amarillo, TX | 50 | $56,660 | $27.24 | $82,760 | $37,420 |
| Austin-Round Rock, TX | 400 | $59,690 | $28.7 | $100,990 | $37,440 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | 60 | $53,060 | $25.51 | $78,230 | $28,360 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 90 | $54,370 | $26.14 | $82,600 | $31,950 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 1,290 | $59,720 | $28.71 | $100,660 | $37,490 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | 1,140 | $57,530 | $27.66 | $97,070 | $36,280 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | 120 | $51,330 | $24.68 | $76,440 | $28,880 |
| Longview, TX | 40 | $52,670 | $25.32 | $95,420 | $28,390 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | 100 | $41,270 | $19.84 | $83,700 | $27,740 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 390 | $55,100 | $26.49 | $95,120 | $33,190 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | ** | $45,900 | $22.07 | $81,890 | $30,940 |
| Waco, TX | 60 | $53,030 | $25.5 | $82,500 | $34,190 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get hands-on training to work as an EKG technician in Texas?
Many EKG programs offer externships or other options for students to get hands-on training.
Look for a program that offers training in a school lab or at a clinical facility for EKG technician students.
Why do I need to sit for exams when there is no licensing requirement in Texas?
Many employers want to see that applicants have completed an education or training program.
The University of Houston indicates that more than 80 percent of employers who hire EKG technicians require them to have certification.
Where do EKG technicians in Texas work?
EKG technicians in Texas often work in hospitals.
They work in outpatient clinics, diagnostic facilities, imaging centers, and at private practice physician’s offices.
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
