Respiratory Therapists
SOC code 29-1126 · O*NET-SOC 29-1126.00 · Medium preparation needed · Healthcare
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Respiratory therapy needs an associate degree plus a state licence and the RRT credential, and hospital work is the norm. Demand surged with respiratory illness trends and has stayed strong, especially in critical care settings.
Respiratory Therapists pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$82,280
a year
Hourly
$39.56
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$87,300
$41.97 per hour
Middle 50%
$74,520 – $98,730
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$63,660 – $118,050
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
139,790
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $63,660
- $30.61/hr
- 25th percentile
- $74,520
- $35.83/hr
- Median percentile
- $82,280
- $39.56/hr
- 75th percentile
- $98,730
- $47.47/hr
- 90th percentile
- $118,050
- $56.75/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+12%
Growing much faster than average
139,600
jobs in 2024
156,400
projected for 2034
About 16,800 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What does a respiratory therapist do?
Assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders. Assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care modalities, including the supervision of respiratory therapy technicians. Initiate and conduct therapeutic procedures; maintain patient records; and select, assemble, check, and operate equipment.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Set up and operate devices, such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, or aerosol generators, following specified parameters of treatment.
- Monitor patient's physiological responses to therapy, such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, or blood chemistry changes, and consult with physician if adverse reactions occur.
- Read prescription, measure arterial blood gases, and review patient information to assess patient condition.
- Relay blood analysis results to a physician.
- Provide emergency care, such as artificial respiration, external cardiac massage, or assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
- Enforce safety rules and ensure careful adherence to physicians' orders.
- Work as part of a team of physicians, nurses, or other healthcare professionals to manage patient care by assisting with medical procedures or related duties.
- Maintain charts that contain patients' pertinent identification and therapy information.
How to become a respiratory therapist
Preparation level: zone 3 — Medium preparation needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
The federal survey did not capture education levels for this specific occupation, so the preparation-level card above is the best guide to the entry route.
Common questions
How much does a respiratory therapist earn?
The national median is $82,280 a year. The full range runs from $63,660 at the 10th percentile to $118,050 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a respiratory therapist without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 3, meaning the typical entry route is most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Is respiratory therapist in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 12% between 2024 and 2034 — growing much faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Critical Thinking4.0/5
- Monitoring4.0/5
- Reading Comprehension3.9/5
- Speaking3.9/5
- Active Learning3.4/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service4.7/5
- Medicine and Dentistry4.4/5
- Public Safety and Security4.2/5
- English Language4.0/5
- Psychology3.9/5
- Mechanical3.9/5
- Biology3.8/5
- Administration and Management3.6/5
Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making.