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.
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.