The Average Pay for an EEG Technologist

An electroencephalogram (EEG) tracks and records brain waves that physicians use to diagnose a variety of conditions and diseases. EEG technologists, also called technicians, perform these tests. If you've got an aptitude for science and want to work in the medical field, a career as an EEG tech might be right for you, especially if you don't want to spend a long time in school. Most EEG techs go to work after earning an associate degree.


EEG technician hourly pay averages about $25.34 in the United States.

Job Description

EEG technologists use a noninvasive technique to assess the brain's electrical patterns. Small metal discs are attached by wires to a patient's scalp. In analyzing the electrical pulses emitted by the brain, doctors can evaluate head injuries, seizure disorders, strokes, dementia, sleep disorders, memory problems and diseases of the brain.

Techs prepare patients for their tests and report the findings to a physician, using a computer and specialized software to enter data into a hospital's data management system. They are also responsible for cleaning and performing routine preventive maintenance on the EEG wires and equipment. In some cases, EEG techs may be called upon to perform office duties such as answering phones, scheduling appointments and keeping records.

Education Requirements

An EEG technologist is a type of neurodiagnostic technologist (NDT). Although there are Bachelor of Science programs available, most NDTs earn an associate degree and obtain certification in the state where they work. Students admitted to degree programs must have a high school diploma and be able to demonstrate strong skills in mathematics and life sciences. Although you may be able to take some prerequisites online, the program of study for an EEG tech requires both classroom and clinical training.


EEG technologists work in hospitals and medical centers. It is important for them to maintain a friendly, professional demeanor because, although EEGs are painless and risk-free, patients may be anxious when undergoing any kind of medical test. EEG techs are part of a health care team that includes physicians, nurses, other technicians and specialists, and office staff. Most techs work full-time although part-time positions may be available, depending on location.

Years of Experience and Salary reports that the average base salary for an EEG technologist was $52,712 annually, or approximately $25.34 per hour, as of July 2018, although salaries generally vary between $46,495 and $58,497. Location has the greatest impact on salary, but years of experience also make a difference, as do education, certifications and additional skills. Pay is highest in the San Francisco Bay Area and along the Eastern Seaboard between Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., and tends to be lower in the Upper Midwest and parts of the South.

Job Growth Trend

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics collects data on all civilian occupations. Job growth in the health care field is expected to grow by 18 percent through 2026, much faster than average compared to jobs in other industries.