Respiratory Therapists

Allied Health Professionals • Healthcare & Medical Careers

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.

Typical Salary (Median)
$80,450
(2024 BLS data)
Half earn more, half earn less
Average Salary (Mean)
$84,260
Mathematical average of all salaries
National Employment
136,420
Education Required
Associate's degree
BLS Code: 291126

Understanding Salary Statistics: The typical salary (median) shows what a middle-of-the-road Respiratory Therapists earns, making it useful for salary negotiations. The average salary (mean) can be higher due to top earners and is often used in industry reports.

Salary Distribution

National salary ranges for Respiratory Therapists (2024)

10th Percentile
$61,900
25th Percentile
$68,410
75th Percentile
$95,530
90th Percentile
$108,820

Top Industries

Industries with the most Respiratory Therapists positions

1
Cross-industry, Private, Federal, State, and Local Government
136,420
$84,260 avg
2
Sector 62 - Health Care and Social Assistance
126,950
$84,350 avg
3
Cross-industry, Private Ownership Only
120,220
$84,540 avg
4
Hospitals
109,100
$84,070 avg
5
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
101,020
$84,130 avg

Work Environment

Hospital

Career Overview

💼 About This Career

Respiratory Therapists professionals work in healthcare & medical careers, specifically in allied health professionals. This role typically requires associate's degree and offers a median salary of $80,450.

📊 Job Market Outlook

The job growth outlook for Respiratory Therapists is rated as High. Currently, there are approximately 136,420 people employed in this occupation nationwide.

Related Skills & Keywords

respiratory therapist RT respiratory care

Data Source: Salary and employment statistics are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program , 2024 data. Historical trends show changes over time. Individual results may vary based on experience, location, and employer.