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The differences between radiology assistants and respiratory therapists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a radiology assistant, becoming a respiratory therapist takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a respiratory therapist has an average salary of $55,617, which is higher than the $30,902 average annual salary of a radiology assistant.
The top three skills for a radiology assistant include patients, patient care and customer service. The most important skills for a respiratory therapist are patients, respiratory care, and BLS.
| Radiology Assistant | Respiratory Therapist | |
| Yearly salary | $30,902 | $55,617 |
| Hourly rate | $14.86 | $26.74 |
| Growth rate | -5% | 14% |
| Number of jobs | 25,979 | 33,980 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3.33 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 36% | Associate Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 43 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 12 |
Radio technicians are responsible for installing, adjusting, examining, maintaining, and repairing mobile or stationary radio transmitting. Their tasks include achieving all essential support management actions needed to establish and sustain the combat potency of assign electronic and electrical equipment. Also, they observe their performance, find out the causes of faults, and analyze given technical data for an electronic repair job. Job qualifications include knowledge in electronic principles, analog electronics theory, and electromagnetism, as well as dexterity and mechanical skills.
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.
Radiology assistants and respiratory therapists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Radiology Assistant | Respiratory Therapist | |
| Average salary | $30,902 | $55,617 |
| Salary range | Between $19,000 And $48,000 | Between $33,000 And $91,000 |
| Highest paying City | Pontiac, MI | Lancaster, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | California |
| Best paying company | Brigham and Women's Hospital | Heartland Home Health Inc. |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a radiology assistant and a respiratory therapist in terms of educational background:
| Radiology Assistant | Respiratory Therapist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 36% | Associate Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Medical Technician | Medical Technician |
| Most common college | New York University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between radiology assistants' and respiratory therapists' demographics:
| Radiology Assistant | Respiratory Therapist | |
| Average age | 43 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 30.0% Female, 70.0% | Male, 37.5% Female, 62.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 8.2% White, 58.8% 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% |