What does a Respiratory Therapist do?
Respiratory therapists assess and treat patients with breathing disorders. You use specialized equipment to help improve lung function, perform diagnostic tests, and provide care for those with chronic respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD.
Key duties & responsibilities
Respiratory Therapists in the Healthcare field handle essential tasks and contribute significantly to achieving team and organizational goals. Here are some of their primary responsibilities:
- Assess and diagnose patients with breathing or cardiopulmonary disorders.
- Administer diagnostic tests such as measuring lung capacity.
- Manage ventilators and artificial airway devices for patients who cannot breathe normally on their own.
- Respond to emergency situations where patients need airway management.
- Provide education to patients and their families about lung health and disease prevention.
- Consult with physicians and other healthcare staff to develop and modify individual patient care plans.
- Maintain and sterilize respiratory therapy equipment.
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How to become a Respiratory Therapist
Launching a career as a Respiratory Therapist requires a specific education. We outline the essential qualifications, skills, and steps to enter this field.
Qualification
- Associate’s degree or higher in Respiratory Therapy from an accredited program.
- Must be licensed as a Respiratory Therapist in the state of practice; requirements vary by state.
- Certifications such as Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) or Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) are often required.
- Basic Life Support (BLS) or Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification may be required.
Requirements & skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to interact effectively with patients and medical team.
- Physical stamina to handle long shifts and the ability to perform under stress.
- Detail-oriented nature, particularly when following complex instructions regarding patient treatment.
- Compassion and patience to assist patients who are suffering from chronic respiratory diseases.
Respiratory Therapist salary guide
Wondering what Respiratory Therapists earn? Explore salary ranges by experience, and career tips to maximize your earning potential.
The average salary for a Respiratory Therapist in the U.S. is approximately $67,180 per year and can vary from entry-level to senior positions. Respiratory Therapists may receive a wide range of benefits.
Respiratory Therapist salary career steps
- Entry Level0-2 years $50,385
- Mid Level3-5 years $60,462
- Experienced6-10 years $67,180
- Senior11+ years $73,898
- Veteran20+ years $83,975
Based on public data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Payscale. Career-level figures are estimates derived from the national average; actual pay varies by employer, region and experience.
How much can you earn as a Respiratory Therapist?
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How to advance your career
Respiratory Therapists can advance to supervisory or managerial roles within respiratory therapy departments. Some choose to specialize in areas such as pediatric or geriatric respiratory care, sleep medicine, or pulmonary rehabilitation. Further education can lead to roles in health administration, education, or research within the field of respiratory care.
Typical work environment
Respiratory Therapists work in various settings, including hospitals, emergency rooms, pulmonary rehabilitation centers, and patients' homes. They often work in shifts, covering evenings, nights, and weekends, particularly in hospitals that require 24-hour care. The job can be physically demanding and sometimes stressful, especially when dealing with life-threatening situations.
About this profile
This profile for a Respiratory Therapist is based on public sources such as the BLS and Payscale and was structured with the help of AI. It is intended as a general orientation — duties, requirements and salaries can differ by employer, country and experience.
