Respiratory Therapist: Career Overview

Official government data · Updated April 2026

Respiratory Therapists earn a national median of $80,450/yr with 12.1% projected employment growth over 2024–2034. The role draws on expertise in Customer and Personal Service, Medicine and Dentistry, English Language.

Median Salary

$80,450

National · 2024

10-Year Growth

12.1%

Faster than average

Employed Nationally

136,420

2024 data

Typical Education

Associate's degree

Entry-level

What Employers Expect From a Respiratory Therapist

These are the competencies recruiters screen for in Respiratory Therapist candidates, ranked by importance. Your resume should demonstrate each one:

1 Active Listening 2 Critical Thinking 3 Monitoring 4 Speaking 5 Reading Comprehension 6 Active Learning 7 Social Perceptiveness 8 Service Orientation 9 Coordination 10 Complex Problem Solving

Knowledge Areas

Core knowledge domains most important for Respiratory Therapist performance, based on verified occupational data.

Customer and Personal Service Medicine and Dentistry English Language Education and Training Psychology

Tools & Technologies

High-demand tools and technologies for Respiratory Therapist roles.

eClinicalWorks EHR software MEDITECH software

Job Outlook: 2024–2034

Employment is projected to grow 12.1% for Respiratory Therapist roles over the 2024–2034 decade. That's faster than average compared to the 4% average across all occupations.

Current Employment
136,420
Projected Growth
12.1%
Typical Education
Associate's degree

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Respiratory Therapist do?
Respiratory Therapists apply expertise in Customer and Personal Service, Medicine and Dentistry, English Language to perform their core responsibilities. Key competencies include Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Speaking.
How much does a Respiratory Therapist make?
The national median salary for a Respiratory Therapist is $80,450 per year based on official government wage survey data. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.
Is Respiratory Therapist a good career in 2026?
Employment for Respiratory Therapist roles is projected to grow 12.1% over the 2024–2034 decade — faster than average compared to all occupations. There are currently 136,420 workers in this occupation nationally.
What education do you need to become a Respiratory Therapist?
The typical entry-level education for a Respiratory Therapist is Associate's degree. Requirements vary by employer and specialization.
What skills do Respiratory Therapists need?
The most important skills for Respiratory Therapist roles based on verified occupational data: Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Active Learning, Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Coordination, Complex Problem Solving. Key tools and technologies include: eClinicalWorks EHR software, MEDITECH software.

Does Your Resume Cover These Skills?

Tap the skills that are currently on your resume.

Salary, employment, and skills figures sourced from official U.S. government records and occupational databases. Actual compensation and requirements vary by location, experience, and employer. Salary and employment figures from official U.S. government records. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.