Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between perfusionists and respiratory therapists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a perfusionist has an average salary of $118,459, which is higher than the $55,617 average annual salary of a respiratory therapist.
The top three skills for a perfusionist include patients, patient care and heart-lung machine. The most important skills for a respiratory therapist are patients, respiratory care, and BLS.
| Perfusionist | Respiratory Therapist | |
| Yearly salary | $118,459 | $55,617 |
| Hourly rate | $56.95 | $26.74 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 14% |
| Number of jobs | 22,339 | 33,980 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3.33 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Associate Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 43 | 46 |
| Years of experience | - | 12 |
A perfusionist is a healthcare expert who specializes in operating machinery that helps patients maintain blood flow during cardiac surgeries. As a member of a cardiothoracic surgical team, their duties also include monitoring the patient's vital signs, preparing cardiopulmonary bypass machines, meeting with team members before the surgery to identify the patient's needs, and developing strategies with the surgeons. Moreover, as a perfusionist, it is vital to maintain an active communication line with team members to ensure the surgery's success and the patients' safety.
A Respiratory Therapist is responsible for the healthcare of a patient's Cardiopulmonary system. A Respiratory Therapist specializes in assessing, recommending procedures or precautionary measures, and treating infections, diseases, and even viruses that can cause dysfunction to a patient's breathing. Most duties will depend on the workplace or the condition of a patient. However, they must have extensive expertise, passion, and presence of mind as they work with patients of all ages, and the daily tasks are vital and unpredictable.
Perfusionists and respiratory therapists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Perfusionist | Respiratory Therapist | |
| Average salary | $118,459 | $55,617 |
| Salary range | Between $67,000 And $209,000 | Between $33,000 And $91,000 |
| Highest paying City | Rochester, MN | Lancaster, CA |
| Highest paying state | Minnesota | California |
| Best paying company | Essentia Health | Heartland Home Health Inc. |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a perfusionist and a respiratory therapist in terms of educational background:
| Perfusionist | Respiratory Therapist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Associate Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Medical Technician | Medical Technician |
| Most common college | University of Connecticut | Duke University |
Here are the differences between perfusionists' and respiratory therapists' demographics:
| Perfusionist | Respiratory Therapist | |
| Average age | 43 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 61.2% Female, 38.8% | Male, 37.5% Female, 62.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 10.5% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 6.4% White, 63.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 9% |