### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Respiratory Therapists Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			respiratory therapists imageRespiratory therapists work with patients who have breathing problems, such as asthma.							
						Quick Facts:     Respiratory Therapists2023     Median Pay
            						$77,960     per year
										$37.48     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    Associate's degreeWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    NoneNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    133,100Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    13% (Much faster than average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    16,700What Respiratory Therapists Do
                                                
                        
                        
Respiratory therapists care for patients who have trouble breathing—for example, because of a chronic condition such as asthma.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Most respiratory therapists work full time. Because they may work in medical facilities that are always open, such as hospitals, they may have shifts that include nights, weekends, or holidays.
            
                                                How to Become a Respiratory Therapist
                                                
                        
Respiratory therapists typically need an associate’s degree in respiratory therapy. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have a bachelor’s degree. Respiratory therapists must be licensed in all states except Alaska; requirements vary by state.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for respiratory therapists was $77,960 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of respiratory therapists is projected to grow							 13 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
						About 8,600 openings for respiratory therapists are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for respiratory therapists.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of respiratory therapists with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about respiratory therapists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Respiratory Therapists Do 
            

			Respiratory therapistsRespiratory therapists interview and examine patients with breathing or cardiopulmonary disorders.			
Respiratory therapists care for patients who have trouble breathing—for example, because of conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Their patients range from premature infants with undeveloped lungs to older adults whose lungs are diseased.
Duties
Respiratory therapists typically do the following:
Interview and examine patients with breathing or cardiopulmonary disorders
Consult with physicians about patients’ conditions and developing treatment plans
Perform diagnostic tests
Treat patients using a variety of methods
Monitor and record patients’ progress
Teach patients how to take medications and use equipmentRespiratory therapists work closely with registered nurses, physicians and surgeons, and medical assistants. They use various tests to evaluate patients. For example, respiratory therapists administer pulmonary function tests to assess lung capacity by having patients breathe into an instrument that measures the volume and flow of oxygen when they inhale and exhale. Therapists also may take blood samples and use a blood gas analyzer to test oxygen and carbon dioxide levels.
Respiratory therapists also perform treatment to clear airways for improved breathing. For example, therapists may do chest physiotherapy to remove mucus from the lungs by tapping the patient’s chest and encouraging him or her to cough.
Respiratory therapists in emergency settings may connect patients who cannot breathe on their own to ventilators that deliver oxygen to the lungs. They set up and monitor the equipment to ensure that the patient is receiving the correct amount of oxygen at the correct rate.
Respiratory therapists who work in home care teach patients and their families to use ventilators and other life-support systems. During these visits, they may inspect and clean equipment, check the home for environmental hazards, and ensure that patients know how to use their medications. Therapists also make emergency home visits when necessary.
In some medical facilities, respiratory therapists are involved in related areas, such as diagnosing breathing problems for people with sleep apnea and counseling people on how to stop smoking.
 Work Environment
			Respiratory therapistsRespiratory therapists treat patients in every age group.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Respiratory therapists held about 133,100 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of respiratory therapists were as follows:
        Hospitals; state, local, and private
                81%Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities)
                4Offices of physicians
                2Respiratory therapists work in various areas of a hospital, including emergency rooms, critical care units, and neonatal intensive care units.
Respiratory therapists may stand for long periods and may need to lift or turn patients.
Injuries and Illnesses
Like other healthcare workers, respiratory therapists may be exposed to patients who have infectious diseases. They also may experience strains or sprains when lifting or turning patients. Because of this, they must take precautions to minimize their risk of illness or injury.
Work Schedules
Most respiratory therapists work full time. Because they may work in medical facilities that are always open, such as hospitals, they may have shifts that include nights, weekends, or holidays.
 How to Become a Respiratory Therapist

			Respiratory therapistsRespiratory therapists typically need an associate’s degree, but some have bachelor’s degrees.			
Respiratory therapists typically need an associate’s degree in respiratory therapy. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have a bachelor’s degree. Respiratory therapists must be licensed in all states except Alaska; requirements vary by state.
Education
Respiratory therapists typically need at least an associate’s degree in respiratory therapy from a program approved by the American Medical Association, such as those accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). Employers may prefer that applicants have a bachelor’s degree.
Some programs require applicants to fulfill prerequisites. High school students interested in applying to respiratory therapy programs should take courses in biology, algebra, chemistry, and physics.
In addition to respiratory therapy programs offered by colleges and vocational–technical institutes, a CoARC-accredited program in the Armed Forces leads to an associate’s degree.
Respiratory therapy programs typically include courses in human anatomy and physiology, and therapeutic and diagnostic procedures and tests. These programs also have clinical components that allow students to gain supervised, practical experience in treating patients.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Respiratory therapists are required to be licensed in all states except Alaska, where national certification is recommended. Licensure requirements vary but usually include passing a state or professional certification exam. For specific requirements, contact a state’s health board.
The National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) is the main certifying body for respiratory therapists. The Board offers two levels of certification: Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) and Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT). Candidates typically sit for the CRT exam. After successful completion, CRTs may take an additional exam to earn RRT certification. Some employers require that candidates earn RRT certification before being hired or within a specified amount of time on the job.
Important Qualities
***Compassion.*** Respiratory therapists should be able to provide emotional support to patients undergoing treatment. They must be sympathetic to a patient’s needs.
***Detail oriented.*** Respiratory therapists must stay focused to ensure that a patient receives appropriate treatments and medications. They must be meticulous about monitoring patients and recording information related to their care.
***Interpersonal skills.*** Respiratory therapists interact and build relationships with patients. They often work as part of a team and must be able to take direction from others, such as a supervising physician.
***Patience.*** Respiratory therapists may work for long periods with patients who need special attention.
***Problem-solving skills.*** Respiratory therapists must evaluate patients’ symptoms, consult with other healthcare professionals, and recommend and administer the appropriate treatments.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Respiratory TherapistsMedian annual wages, May 2023Healthcare diagnosing or treating practitioners$98,760  Respiratory therapists$77,960  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for respiratory therapists was $77,960 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $59,180, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $104,480.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for respiratory therapists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Hospitals; state, local, and private
                $78,300Offices of physicians
                77,580Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities)
                73,390Most respiratory therapists work full time. Because they may work in medical facilities that are always open, such as hospitals, they may have shifts that include nights, weekends, or holidays.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                Respiratory TherapistsPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Respiratory therapists13%  Healthcare diagnosing or treating practitioners9%  Total, all occupations3%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of respiratory therapists is projected to grow				 13 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
			
			About 8,600 openings for respiratory therapists are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Growth in the older adult population will lead to an increased prevalence of respiratory conditions such as pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other disorders that restrict lung function. This, in turn, will lead to increased demand for respiratory therapy services and treatments, mostly in hospitals.
In addition, a growing emphasis on reducing readmissions to hospitals and on providing patient care in outpatient facilities may result in more demand for respiratory therapists in health clinics and in doctors’ offices.
Other respiratory conditions that affect people of all ages, such as problems due to smoking and air pollution or those arising from emergencies, will continue to create demand for respiratory therapists.
			

                        Employment projections data for     respiratory therapists, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Respiratory therapists**
			29-1126
			133,100
			149,800
			13
			16,700
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Respiratory therapists **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of respiratory therapists. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Athletic Trainers**
            Athletic trainers specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating muscle and bone injuries and illnesses.
            Master's degree
            $57,930**Exercise Physiologists**
            Exercise physiologists develop fitness and exercise programs to help people improve their health.
            Bachelor's degree
            $54,860**Medical and Health Services Managers**
            Medical and health services managers plan, direct, and coordinate the business activities of healthcare providers.
            Bachelor's degree
            $110,680**Occupational Therapists**
            Occupational therapists evaluate and treat people who have injuries, illnesses, or disabilities to help them with vocational, daily living, and other skills that promote independence.
            Master's degree
            $96,370**Physical Therapists**
            Physical therapists help injured or ill people improve movement and manage pain.
            Doctoral or professional degree
            $99,710**Radiation Therapists**
            Radiation therapists administer doses of radiation to patients who have cancer or other serious diseases.
            Associate's degree
            $98,300**Registered Nurses**
            Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care and educate patients and the public about various health conditions.
            Bachelor's degree
            $86,070**Speech-Language Pathologists**
            Speech-language pathologists assess and treat people who have communication disorders.
            Master's degree
            $89,290
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about respiratory therapists, including a list of state licensing agencies, visit
American Association for Respiratory Care
For a list of accredited educational programs for respiratory care practitioners, visit
Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care
For information on gaining credentials in respiratory care, visit
The National Board for Respiratory Care

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Respiratory Therapists
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Respiratory Therapists, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/respiratory-therapists.htm (visited *May 17, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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