How much does a health technician make?
a year · about $24 an hour
A typical health technician in the United States makes $50,290 a year, about $24 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
Work varies by specialty; an EEG tech may measure a patient's head, attach sensors, and explain the test. Then they watch brain-wave recordings and equipment, help the patient stay comfortable, and send technical results to a doctor.
Did you know? During long-term EEG monitoring, patients may stay in one room for up to a week while technologists use brain-wave and video equipment to watch for seizures.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $38,180 and $85,270How do you become one?
There is no single route in the U.S., so choose a specialty first. For neurodiagnostic work, complete a certificate or college program, get on-the-job training, and pursue a specialty credential; rules vary by state.
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., 29-2099 groups many specialties, so pay can depend on the work, extra training or credentials, and experience. Employer, location, and hours worked can matter too.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Washington ($62,090), lowest in Mississippi ($39,010).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $38,180 | $50,290 | $85,270 | about 183,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $62,090 | about 4,000 |
| Maine | $61,490 | about 550 |
| Massachusetts | $60,500 | about 4,000 |
| California | $60,390 | about 27,000 |
| Oregon | $60,390 | about 2,000 |
Official definition: All health technologists and technicians not listed separately.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-2099.00
- www.bls.gov/soc/2018/major_groups.htm
- www.bls.gov/oes/2022/may/oes292099.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.aset.org/resource/scope-of-practice-for-neurodiagnostic-technologists
- www.aset.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/NDT-Ambassador-Presentation-Script.pdf
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY