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.
Respiratory Therapists
SOC: 29-1126 O*NET: 29-1126.00
Median Salary
$80,450
per year
Job Growth
🚀 12.1%
Much Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
8.8
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
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.
What does a Respiratory Therapists do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$61,900
10th percentile
Early Career
$68,410
25th percentile
Median
$80,450
50th percentile
Experienced
$95,530
75th percentile
Top Earners
$108,820
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$61,900
25th
$68,410
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$80,450
Mean: $84,260
75th
$95,530
90th
$108,820
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $46,920 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $68,410 and $95,530
- •Salary spread is 33.7% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 136,420 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
High Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:139,600
Top Industries
Hospitals68.9%
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals63.2%
Ambulatory Health Care Services8.9%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+12.1%
Annual Openings:8,800
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)139,600
Current
2034 (Projected)156,400
+12.1%
+16,800
Employment Change
+12.1%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Faster than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Respiratory Therapists professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
18,310 jobs$102,1201.15x
Texas
11,860 jobs$77,5500.97x
Florida
8,840 jobs$79,7101.02x
New York
6,780 jobs$103,8200.80x
Ohio
6,460 jobs$78,4001.32x
Pennsylvania
5,850 jobs$76,1601.10x
Illinois
5,450 jobs$81,3101.02x
Georgia
5,030 jobs$81,8901.17x
North Carolina
4,440 jobs$77,0501.02x
Michigan
4,150 jobs$77,4601.07x
Indiana
3,330 jobs$77,8201.18x
Missouri
3,270 jobs$73,8801.27x
New Jersey
3,200 jobs$98,0200.85x
Arizona
3,070 jobs$79,2901.09x
Tennessee
3,070 jobs$65,0001.06x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Faster than average growth expected
- •High current market demand
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Critical Thinking
100%
#2
Monitoring
94%
#3
Active Listening
86%
#4
Speaking
80%
#5
Social Perceptiveness
74%
#6
Reading Comprehension
66%
#7
Service Orientation
60%
#8
Active Learning
54%
#9
Complex Problem Solving
46%
#10
Coordination
40%
Skills Overview
Critical Thinking
advanced5.0
100%
Monitoring
advanced4.7
94%
Active Listening
intermediate4.3
86%
Speaking
intermediate4.0
80%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate3.7
74%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.3
66%
Service Orientation
intermediate3.0
60%
Active Learning
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Monitoring
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Active Learning
basicImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Coordination
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Acupuncturists82%
5 shared skills
Correctional Officers and Jailers82%
5 shared skills
Dentists, General82%
5 shared skills
Firefighters82%
5 shared skills
Flight Attendants82%
5 shared skills
Midwives82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Service Orientation
- →Reading Comprehension
- →Active Learning
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Social Perceptiveness
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Respiratory Therapists
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TecheClinicalWorks EHR software
🔥 Hot TechMEDITECH software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
eClinicalWorks EHR software
MEDITECH software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Operations & Execution (3)General Responsibilities (9)Analysis & Evaluation (2)Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)Management & Supervision (3)Training & Development (1)
1
Set up and operate devices, such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, or aerosol generators, following specified parameters of treatment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution100% perform100%
2
Provide emergency care, such as artificial respiration, external cardiac massage, or assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Determine requirements for treatment, such as type, method and duration of therapy, precautions to be taken, or medication and dosages, compatible with physicians' orders.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Monitor patient's physiological responses to therapy, such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, or blood chemistry changes, and consult with physician if adverse reactions occur.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Read prescription, measure arterial blood gases, and review patient information to assess patient condition.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation88% perform92%
6
Enforce safety rules and ensure careful adherence to physicians' orders.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Maintain charts that contain patients' pertinent identification and therapy information.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Inspect, clean, test, and maintain respiratory therapy equipment to ensure equipment is functioning safely and efficiently, ordering repairs when necessary.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping79% perform86%
9
Educate patients and their families about their conditions and teach appropriate disease management techniques, such as breathing exercises or the use of medications or respiratory equipment.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Management & Supervision76% perform84%
10
Explain treatment procedures to patients to gain cooperation and allay fears.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on operations & execution activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Respiratory Therapists
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Respiratory Therapists professionals typically have a SRI Holland code and highly value relationships
SSocial
RRealistic
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Respiratory Therapists
Cooperation
CriticalCooperation
Importance Level4.86
Concern for Others
CriticalConcern for Others
Importance Level4.84
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.81
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.78
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.76
Stress Tolerance
CriticalStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.73
Complete Work Styles Profile
Cooperation
4.9
Concern for Others
4.8
Attention to Detail
4.8
Dependability
4.8
Integrity
4.8
Stress Tolerance
4.7
Self-Control
4.7
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.5
Analytical Thinking
4.5
Independence
4.4
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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