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Respiratory Therapist Salary | Respiratory Therapy Job Overview, Education Requirements

Respiratory therapists provide specialized care for patients who have trouble breathing. Their patients often suffer from serious respiratory disease, such as asthma or emphysema. Their patients range from premature infants with lung problems to elderly patients who have diseased lungs. Respiratory therapists are also called on to provide care during emergency situations, such as in a code blue.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 119,300 jobs for respiratory therapists as of 2012, and the majority of respiratory therapists work in a hospital setting. Employment of respiratory therapists is projected to grow 19 percent from 2012 to 2022, faster than the average for all occupations.

This article will offer detailed information on respiratory therapy salary information (including state salary averages), the job overview, and education requirements.

Respiratory Therapist Job Overview

Respiratory therapists operate various machines and use various procedures to enable their patients to breathe better. Here are some of the duties or tasks that a respiratory therapist will perform on the job:

  • Interview and examine patients with breathing or cardiopulmonary disorders
  • Consult with physicians to develop patient treatment plans
  • Perform diagnostic tests such as measuring lung capacity by having patients breathe into an instrument that measures the volume and flow of oxygen.
  • Take blood samples and use a blood gas analyzer to test oxygen and carbon dioxide levels.
  • Respond to code blue and other emergency situations
  • Treat patients by using a variety of methods, including aerosol medications and chest physiotherapy, which can remove mucus from the lungs of patients suffering from conditions such as cystic fibrosis.
  • Monitor and record the progress of treatment
  • Supervise respiratory therapy technicians during tests and evaluate the findings of the tests
  • Teach patients how to use treatments
  • Respiratory therapists may connect patients who cannot breathe on their own to ventilators that deliver oxygen to the lungs. Therapists insert a tube in the patient’s windpipe (trachea) and connect the tube to ventilator equipment. They set up and monitor the equipment to ensure that the patient is receiving the correct amount of oxygen at the correct rate.

What about the likes and dislikes for this profession? Many respiratory therapists like the fact that they can focus on their speciality, and leave all of the other health issues for the other professionals, such as nurses or doctors. Some are very passionate about their career, and they feel like it is a true calling.

Regarding dislikes, some respiratory therapists feel as if they have few opportunities for advancement. Others feel as if they don’t receive enough respect within the healthcare industry. They may also become stressed when dealing with patients in code status or with multiple health issues.

Education Requirements for Respiratory Therapy

Respiratory therapists need at least an associate’s degree, which can take approximately two years to complete. Some employers may prefer applicants who have a bachelor’s degree, but this can vary depending on the employer. Many colleges and universities, vocational–technical institutes, and the Armed Forces offer education and training programs. Most programs award an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.

In addition to classroom training, students must also complete clinical components that allow more specialized, hands-on training. Once the educational and clinical requirements have been met, graduates must then become licensed.

Respiratory Therapy Licensing, Certifications, and Registrations

Respiratory therapists are licensed in all states except Alaska, although requirements vary by state. Licensure requirements in most states include completing a state or professional certification exam. For specific state requirements, contact the state’s health board.

Many employers prefer to hire respiratory therapists who have certification. Certification is not always required, but it is widely respected throughout the occupation. Certification usually requires graduating from an accredited program and passing a certification exam and is often required in order to get a state license.

The National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) is the main certifying body for respiratory therapists. The Board offers two levels of certification: the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) and the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).

The CRT is the first-level certification. Applicants must have earned an associate’s degree from an accredited respiratory therapy program, or completed the equivalent coursework in a bachelor’s degree program, and pass an exam.

The second-level certification is the RRT certification. Applicants must have a CRT certification, meet other education or experience requirements, and pass an exam.

Respiratory Therapist Salary Overview

As of 2014, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, respiratory therapists earned an average hourly wage of $28.12, and an annual salary of $58,490. These numbers are only averages across the entire U.S., and you may earn more or less depending on your experience (entry-level will likely earn less than an veteran), your industry, and the state in which you live.

Here are some salary statistics for respiratory therapists:

Employment Employment RSE Mean hourly wage Mean annual wage Wage RSE
119,410 1.0 % $28.12 $58,490 0.3 %

Percentile wage estimates for this occupation:

Percentile 10% 25% 50% (Median) 75% 90%
Hourly Wage $19.89 $23.04 $27.27 $32.67 $37.61
Annual Wage $41,380 $47,920 $56,730 $67,950 $78,230

Industries with the highest levels of employment in this occupation:

Industry Employment Percent of industry employment Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals 89,870 1.71 $28.06 $58,360
Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals 6,890 2.80 $28.77 $59,850
Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities) 4,590 0.28 $28.35 $58,960
Offices of Physicians 3,230 0.13 $28.03 $58,300
Consumer Goods Rental 3,000 1.87 $25.47 $52,970

Top paying industries for this occupation:

Industry Employment Percent of industry employment Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage
Outpatient Care Centers 1,830 0.26 $33.17 $69,000
Employment Services 1,590 0.05 $31.10 $64,690
Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities 250 0.04 $29.92 $62,220
Home Health Care Services 1,830 0.15 $29.43 $61,220
Local Government (OES Designation) 110 n/a $29.04 $60,410

Top paying states for this occupation:

State Employment Employment per thousand jobs Location quotient Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage
California 14,070 0.93 1.05 $37.15 $77,280
Nevada 920 0.77 0.87 $34.55 $71,870
New Jersey 3,120 0.81 0.91 $33.59 $69,870
Massachusetts 2,470 0.74 0.84 $33.31 $69,280
Alaska 190 0.58 0.65 $33.16 $68,970

Lowest paying states for respiratory therapists:

Alabama 22.39 46,570
Kentucky 22.74 47,300
Mississippi 22.88 47,600
West Virginia 22.91 47,650

Respiratory therapist salary by state:

The table below shows the average hourly wage and annual salary of respiratory therapists for all 50 states in the U.S.

State: Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage Annual median wage
Alabama 22.39 46,570 45,910
Alaska 33.16 68,970 69,320
Arizona 25.67 53,380 53,280
Arkansas 23.51 48,900 47,010
California 37.15 77,280 76940
Colorado 27.96 58,150 57,720
Connecticut 31.87 66,290 65,900
Delaware 31.18 64,860 59,150
District of Columbia 31.22 64,950 64,420
Florida 25.86 53,800 53390
Georgia 25.33 52,690 52,720
Hawaii 32.40 67,380 68,940
Idaho 26.35 54,800 54,190
Illinois 26.39 54,880 54,980
Indiana 25.57 53,190 53,040
Iowa 25.54 53,110 48,150
Kansas 23.81 49,520 49,810
Kentucky 22.74 47,300 46,730
Louisiana 24.53 51,020 50,930
Maine 26.68 55,500 55,170
Maryland 30.47 63,380 64,310
Massachusetts 33.31 69,280 68,300
Michigan 25.47 52,970 53,590
Minnesota 30.53 63,490 64,500
Mississippi 22.88 47,600 47,130
Missouri 24.31 50,570 49,630
Montana 24.90 51,800 51,870
Nebraska 24.54 51,040 49,770
Nevada 34.55 71,870 70,990
New Hampshire 29.14 60,620 60,880
New Jersey 33.59 69,870 70170
New Mexico 24.99 51,980 52,300
New York 31.97 66,510 68,180
North Carolina 25.63 53,300 53,180
North Dakota 24.04 50,000 48,780
Ohio 25.52 53,090 53,330
Oklahoma 24.91 51,810 50,260
Oregon 30.16 62,740 63,700
Pennsylvania 27.21 56,610 56,110
Puerto Rico 11.00 22,880 20,310
Rhode Island 28.91 60,130 62,010
South Carolina 25.03 52,050 52,490
South Dakota 23.73 49,360 47,660
Tennessee 23.74 49,370 48,170
Texas 26.54 55,210 54,980
Utah 27.62 57,450 56,960
Vermont 28.48 59,240 57,670
Virginia 28.06 58,370 57,500
Washington 32.26 67,100 66,450
West Virginia 22.91 47,650 46,680
Wisconsin 27.78 57,780 57,490
Wyoming 26.32 54,750 55,220

References:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Respiratory Therapist, on the Internet at bls.gov.

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