How to Become an EKG Technician in New Hampshire
An electrocardiogram, or EKG, is a very common form of medical procedure used to assess heart function. Effective treatment often depends on the outcome of EKG results. For this reason, only trained personnel can administer an electrocardiogram. These personnel are known as EKG technicians.
EKG technicians make above-average annual wages in the state of New Hampshire. They also belong to an employment market in the middle of a sustained period of expansion. These facts make the profession a tempting option for people wishing to start or change their career. Use this guide to learn more about joining the ranks of working New Hampshire EKG specialists.
New Hampshire Licensing and Training for EKG Technicians
Like many states across the country, New Hampshire does not have licensing guidelines for EKG techs. Instead, people in the profession are classified as unlicensed assistive personnel. Assistive personnel do not work independently. At all times, they work under the guidance of licensed medical professionals. In New Hampshire, registered nurses provide this guidance.
New Hampshire may not require you to get an EKG technician’s license, but that doesn’t mean you can do this job without adequate training. Electrocardiograms are sophisticated machines that require proper setup and use. If you don’t know what to do, you can cause serious problems for patients in need of medical care.
No worthwhile healthcare facility will take this kind of risk. For that reason, you must receive some kind of EKG tech training. The type of required training varies from organization to organization. Some medical facilities will train you on the job and only ask that you graduate from high school or get your GED. Others require you to go through a formal training program and pass a national certification exam. In addition, some facilities may give preference to applicants who also have entry-level experience as a medical aide or assistant.
Options for EKG Tech Training
If you decide to seek formal EKG technician training, you have a range of in-state options available. These options include:
- The University of New Hampshire EKG Technician Program – This online program provides a thorough grounding in the skills used by EKG techs. Graduates can take certification exams offered by the National Healthcareer Association and the National Workforce Career Association. They also have a chance to work as volunteers under the guidance of experienced professionals.
- The Northeast Technical Institute Phlebotomy/EKG Tech Program – This program trains you for entry-level work as an EKG tech and/or a phlebotomist (blood-draw specialist). Graduates possess the skills needed to sit for national certification exams in both of these professions.
- The Manchester Community College Medical Assistant Program – This program bundles EKG training into a larger process that prepares you to work as a multi-disciplinary medical assistant. MCC offers a medical assistant degree, which requires 62 hours of coursework. The school also offers a medical assistant certificate, which requires just 38 hours of coursework.
Income Range for New Hampshire EKG Technicians
In New Hampshire, the average annual salary is $83,570, with the lowest 10% earning $50,560 or less and the highest 10% earning $102,970 or more. Nationally, the average salary is $66,170, with the lowest 10% earning $36,620 or less and the highest 10% earning $105,140 or more. Hourly wage comparisons show New Hampshire’s average hourly wage is higher than the national average.
National vs. Local Salaries
| Location | Average Salary | 10% Earn Less Than | 10% Earn More Than |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $66,170 | $36,620 | $105,140 |
| New Hampshire | $83,570 | $50,560 | $102,970 |
Salaries and Percentiles by Region
| Region | 10% Earn Less Than | 25% Earn Less Than | Median Salary | 75% Earn More Than | 10% Earn More Than |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $36,620 | $44,160 | $66,170 | $85,930 | $105,140 |
| New Hampshire | $50,560 | $69,190 | $83,570 | $99,360 | $102,970 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $48,010 | $77,440 | $100,950 | $123,220 | $184,200 |
| West Central-Southwest New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area | $39,170 | $54,110 | $77,150 | $85,130 | $100,380 |
EKG TechnicianTrends in New Hampshire
In New Hampshire, there were 300 employees in 2020, projected to grow to 320 by 2030 (a 7% increase), with 20 annual job openings. Nationally, there were 58,900 employees in 2022, projected to grow to 61,100 by 2032 (a 4% increase), with 3,900 annual job openings.
Table of the Data
| Location | Year | Employment | Projected Employment | Growth | Annual Job Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | 2020 | 300 | 320 | 7% | 20 |
| United States | 2022 | 58,900 | 61,100 | 4% | 3,900 |
Source of data:
- New Hampshire source: Projections Central 2020-2030 long-term projections.
- United States source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2022-2032 employment projections.