Considering a career as a Respiratory Therapist? You're looking at a profession that is not only personally rewarding and critically important but also offers financial stability and significant growth potential. For those with a passion for helping others breathe easier, this career path provides a strong return on investment.
A "resp tech," or more formally, a Respiratory Therapist (RT), can expect a competitive salary that reflects their vital role in healthcare. With a national median salary approaching $78,000 per year and a projected job growth rate that far outpaces the national average, the financial outlook for this career is exceptionally bright.
This guide will break down everything you need to know about a Respiratory Therapist's salary, from the national average to the key factors you can leverage to maximize your earning potential.
What Does a Respiratory Therapist Do?
Before diving into the numbers, it's essential to understand the scope of the role. Respiratory Therapists are specialized healthcare practitioners who work under the direction of physicians to treat patients with breathing or cardiopulmonary disorders. Their responsibilities are diverse and critical, especially in fast-paced environments like hospitals.
Key duties include:
- Diagnosing lung and breathing disorders and recommending treatment methods.
- Managing ventilators and artificial airway devices for patients who cannot breathe on their own.
- Responding to emergency situations like cardiac arrest or drowning as part of a rapid response or code team.
- Educating patients and their families about lung disease and the use of treatments and equipment.
- Working with a wide range of patients, from premature infants with underdeveloped lungs to elderly patients with chronic diseases like emphysema or asthma.
They are the frontline experts in airway management, making them indispensable members of the modern healthcare team.
Average Respiratory Therapist Salary
So, what can you expect to earn? The salary for a Respiratory Therapist is strong, with significant variation based on experience, location, and specialization.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the most authoritative source for employment data, the median annual wage for respiratory therapists was $77,960 as of May 2023.
This median figure represents the midpoint—half of all RTs earned more than this, and half earned less. The BLS provides a more detailed salary spectrum:
- Lowest 10%: Earned less than $59,380
- Highest 10%: Earned more than $108,740
Data from leading salary aggregators reinforces this information. For example, Salary.com reports the average U.S. salary for a Respiratory Therapist typically falls between $72,500 and $89,100. This range highlights the difference between entry-level positions and those held by seasoned professionals.
Key Factors That Influence Salary
Your salary is not a static number. It's a dynamic figure influenced by several key factors. Understanding these variables is the first step to maximizing your career earnings.
### Level of Education
The standard entry-point for becoming a Respiratory Therapist is an Associate of Science (AS) degree from an accredited program. However, pursuing a higher degree can directly impact your career trajectory and salary.
- Associate's Degree (AS/AAS): This is the most common path and qualifies you for the necessary credentialing exams (CRT and RRT) and entry-level clinical roles.
- Bachelor's Degree (BS): A four-year degree often opens doors to leadership, management, and educational roles within a hospital or university setting. These advanced positions naturally come with higher salaries. A BS may also be a prerequisite for entering specialized fields or research positions.
- Master's Degree (MS): For those aspiring to senior leadership, research, or academic roles, a master's degree is a powerful asset that can lead to the highest earning potential in the field.
Additionally, earning the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) is the gold standard and is required by most employers for higher-paying jobs, compared to the entry-level Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential.
### Years of Experience
As with most professions, experience is a primary driver of salary growth. As you gain hands-on clinical skills and prove your value, your compensation will increase accordingly.
- Entry-Level (0-2 years): New graduates can expect to earn on the lower end of the spectrum, typically in the $60,000 to $68,000 range, as they build their foundational skills.
- Mid-Career (3-9 years): With several years of experience, RTs can expect to earn closer to or above the national median, often in the $75,000 to $85,000 range. They may take on more complex cases or begin to specialize.
- Senior-Level (10+ years): Highly experienced therapists, especially those with specializations or leadership responsibilities, can command salaries well into the $90,000s and over $100,000.
### Geographic Location
Where you work matters—a lot. Salaries can vary significantly between states and even between metropolitan and rural areas due to differences in cost of living and local demand for healthcare services.
According to the BLS, the top-paying states for Respiratory Therapists are:
1. California: $102,110 (annual mean wage)
2. Washington: $94,180
3. New York: $93,920
4. Alaska: $92,090
5. District of Columbia: $91,000
Conversely, states with a lower cost of living may offer salaries below the national median. However, your take-home pay might feel similar after accounting for housing, taxes, and other expenses.
### Company Type / Work Environment
Respiratory Therapists work in a variety of settings, and compensation often differs between them. The BLS reports the following median annual wages by industry:
- Outpatient Care Centers: $92,450
- Hospitals (State, Local, and Private): $78,510
- Nursing Care Facilities: $74,820
- Offices of Physicians: $72,500
While general medical and surgical hospitals are the largest employers, specialized outpatient centers often offer higher pay to attract RTs with specific skill sets.
### Area of Specialization
Obtaining advanced certifications from the NBRC not only enhances your clinical skills but also makes you a more valuable and higher-paid professional. Specializations signal a high level of expertise in a specific area of care.
- Adult Critical Care Specialist (ACCS): For RTs working with critically ill adults in intensive care units (ICUs). This high-stakes environment often commands a higher salary.
- Neonatal/Pediatric Specialist (NPS): RTs with this credential are experts in caring for premature infants and children with respiratory issues. This is a highly sought-after specialization.
- Sleep Disorders Specialist (SDS): With the growth of sleep medicine, RTs who specialize in diagnosing and treating sleep-related breathing disorders (like sleep apnea) are in high demand.
- Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT/RPFT): These therapists specialize in conducting diagnostic tests to measure lung function.
Therapists with one or more of these advanced credentials can expect to be at the top of the pay scale for their level of experience.
Job Outlook
The future for Respiratory Therapists is incredibly strong. The BLS projects that employment for this profession will grow by 13% from 2022 to 2032, which is "much faster than the average for all occupations."
This robust growth is driven by two main factors:
1. An Aging Population: The large baby-boomer generation is aging, leading to an increased incidence of chronic respiratory conditions like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and pneumonia.
2. Advancements in Treatment: Ongoing medical advancements in treating respiratory illnesses, including those affecting premature infants, will continue to drive demand for skilled RTs.
This high demand ensures excellent job security and continued wage growth for professionals in the field.
Conclusion
Choosing a career as a Respiratory Therapist is a decision to enter a stable, in-demand, and impactful profession. With a median salary of nearly $78,000 and a clear path to earning over $100,000, the financial rewards are substantial.
Your earning potential is not fixed; it is something you can actively build. By investing in your education, gaining valuable experience, pursuing advanced specializations, and making strategic choices about your location and work environment, you can build a highly successful and lucrative career. For those ready to make a real difference in patients' lives, respiratory therapy offers a future that is both personally and professionally fulfilling.