EEG Neurodiagnostic Technologist Salary
“EEG Technician” by sinclair.sharon28 is licensed under CC BY 2.0 Photo credit: ekgtechniciansalary.org
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Ever considered a career in EEG technology, or in medical technology jobs more generally? If so, you’ve probably wondered about the salary EEG Techs earn.
Continue reading to learn more about an EEG Neurodiagnostic Technologist’s salary in the United States.
What do EEG Neurodiagnostic Technologists do, anyway?
This is an important question to know the answer to before you decide to become an EEG (Electroencephalography) Technologist, as EEG Techs require a different set of skills than careers in other forms of medical technology.
EEG Technologists are, well, trained to operate EEGs—devices that detect brain waves by monitoring the electrical activity of one’s brain. They assist in setting up these devices on patients, as well as briefing them on the specifics of EEG scans, and walking them through the process.
Before deciding to become an EEG Tech, it’s probably important to you to know what kind of salary you could expect. This is important in regard to financially supporting yourself and others, as well as paying off tuition if you decide to go the route of EEG Tech training programs. We’ll explain all of this soon!
What determines the average EEG Technologist salary
Our Lifelines Registered EEG Technologist, Sandy Penney R. EEG T./RPSG. (more on what this means later!), said that the salaries vary by state.
“A common question we get in the field is: ‘How much do you make?’” Sandy told us.
But that depends on where you live. Salaries can vary completely depending on location, although there are a lot of other factors to consider when thinking about EEG Tech incomes.
Other questions to consider
There are a variety of other factors that could influence starting salaries for EEG Technologists.
Job Demand
The first, and perhaps most important, is job demand in your area.
“I know from experience,” Sandy said, “that if they really need a technologist, they will increase the salary and add perks: a good parking spot, no on-call and day-shift hours, to name a few.”
And according to Indeed, jobs for health technologists are projected to grow 17% between 2018 and 2028, which is “above average.” This is good news for EEG Technologist job demand, as it means more employers are looking for technologists to hire due to increased need.
Experience in the Field
Another important factor is your level of EEG Tech experience when you’re applying to jobs.
“Are you right out of school or do you have experience?” Sandy added, drawing from her experience as an EEG Tech. “How long are you in the field?”
You can likely expect your salary to hover at the lower end of the spectrum when you first start, and to steadily increase as you gain more experience.
EEG Education Level
Speaking of school, the amount of formal education you’ve had in EEG technology can have an impact on your salary, as well.
According to Indeed, based on job requirements of EEG jobs the past few years, 64% of EEG Technicians have only a GED or high school diploma, 27% have an Associate’s Degree, and only 8% have a Bachelor’s Degree. And while EEG Technician certifications are helpful and demonstrate proficiency and professionalism in EEG technology, they’re not required in many states.
Some common EEG Tech certifications include:
- Registered Electroencephalogram Technologist (R. EEG T.)
- Certification in Neurophysiologic Intraoperative Monitoring (CNIM)
- Registered Evoked Potential Technologist (R. EP T.)
- You can read a comprehensive list on Indeed here.
Don’t let these long titles intimidate you. While EEG Tech certifications require time, dedication, and experience, the path to certification is pretty straightforward.
As reported by CHRON.com, certifications require at least “a high school diploma or GED, two years of EEG experience, and 60 ACE [continuing education] credits.” ACE credits are earned from the American Society of Electroneurodiagnostic Technologists, Inc. (ASET).
However, CHRON.com adds, a formal EEG education can also qualify you for certification.
Alternative Factors
Other variables are at play in figuring out what your EEG Technologist salary might be.
Sandy listed several other considerations that could affect salary predictions: “Are you in a private lab or hospital? Are you willing to work with patients of all ages?”
Do you know what type of industry or organization you hope to work for? Will you be working for a non-profit or for-profit organization?
And beyond which state you’re based in, your salary might vary a lot based on whether you’re working in or outside a city. The former generally pays more than the latter.
“All these things will factor into the salary that each place will offer,” Sandy added.
