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.
Overview
Compensation & Benefits
Salary Distribution by Percentile
Understanding where you might fall in the salary range based on experience and location.
10th
$48,270
25th
$64,360
50th (Median)
$80,450
75th
$96,540
90th
$120,675
Percentile Explained: If you're in the 75th percentile, you earn more than 75% of workers in this occupation. Entry-level positions typically fall in the 10th-25th percentile range, while experienced professionals often reach the 75th-90th percentile.
Typical Benefits Package
Health & Wellness
- ✓Health Insurance
- ✓Dental Insurance
- ✓Vision Insurance
- ✓Mental Health Support
- ✓Wellness Programs
Financial Benefits
- ✓401(k) Retirement Plan
- ✓Employer Match (typically 3-6%)
- ✓Profit Sharing
- ✓Stock Options
- ✓Performance Bonuses
Work-Life Balance
- ✓Paid Time Off (15-25 days)
- ✓Paid Sick Leave
- ✓Flexible Work Arrangements
- ✓Remote Work Options
- ✓Parental Leave
Professional Development
- ✓Tuition Reimbursement
- ✓Professional Certifications
- ✓Conference Attendance
- ✓Training Programs
- ✓Mentorship Opportunities
Note: Benefits vary widely by employer, company size, and location. Large corporations and tech companies often offer more comprehensive packages, while small businesses may offer fewer benefits but more flexibility. Always review the complete compensation package, not just base salary.
Job Market Intelligence
Job Market Intelligence
High Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:139,600
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
Key Growth Factors
- •Faster than average growth expected
- •High current market demand
Top Skills
✓
Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking
✓
Monitoring
Monitoring
✓
Active Listening
Active Listening
✓
Speaking
Speaking
✓
Social Perceptiveness
Social Perceptiveness
✓
Reading Comprehension
Reading Comprehension
✓
Service Orientation
Service Orientation
✓
Active Learning
Active Learning
✓
Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving
✓
Coordination
Coordination
Key Knowledge Areas
✓
Customer and Personal Service
✓
Medicine and Dentistry
✓
English Language
✓
Education and Training
✓
Psychology
✓
Biology
✓
Computers and Electronics
✓
Chemistry
✓
Mathematics
Education & Training
Education Required
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Experience Required
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Job Training
Training of more than one year