Respiratory Therapist: Career Guide

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.

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.

Job	Branch	Avg. US salary
Respiratory Therapist	Healthcare	67,180 USD

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

Level	Experience	Avg. salary per year
Entry Level	0-2 years	$50,385
Mid Level	3-5 years	$60,462
Experienced	6-10 years	$67,180
Senior	11+ years	$73,898
Veteran	20+ years	$83,975

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Payscale, expert interviews

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.