Respiratory Therapists
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.
Also called: CRRT (Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Respiratory Therapist), CRT (Certified Respiratory Therapist), Diagnostics RRT (Diagnostics Registered Respiratory Therapist), Hospital RT (Hospital Respiratory Therapist), Infant RT (Infant Respiratory Therapist), Inhalation Therapist
Median pay
$82,280
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$63,660 – $118,050
People employed
139,790
Holland code
RSI
Realistic · Social · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
- 2.Do you prefer working indoors?
- 3.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
- 4.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 5.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 6.Are you OK with hours that change?
The hard parts
- Exposure to disease or infection
- Mistakes can have serious consequences
- Long hours on your feet
Respiratory Therapists pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What respiratory therapists do
- 01Set up and operate devices, such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, or aerosol generators, following specified parameters of treatment.
- 02Monitor 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.
- 03Read prescription, measure arterial blood gases, and review patient information to assess patient condition.
- 04Relay blood analysis results to a physician.
- 05Provide emergency care, such as artificial respiration, external cardiac massage, or assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
- 06Enforce safety rules and ensure careful adherence to physicians' orders.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Public Safety and Security
- English Language
- Psychology
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Cooperation
Education and first steps
O*NET has no education survey data for this job.
How people get started
- Usually needs vocational training or an associate degree (O*NET Job Zone 3).
- Related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- On-the-job training: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
- A professional certification is often expected.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from respiratory therapists
- Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians92% · −10%
- Nuclear Medicine Technologists81% · +23%
- Physical Therapist Assistants80% · −17%
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers79% · +17%
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists79% · +16%
Change into respiratory therapists
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians92% · $74,310
- Physical Therapist Assistants87% · $68,380
- Surgical Assistants85% · $66,800
- Ophthalmic Medical Technicians84% · $45,570
- Paramedics84% · $60,600
Majors that lead here
- Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.