Q: Is a respiratory therapist a good career?

Yes, respiratory therapist is a good career. The medical field is always in need of capable medical professionals, and this field is rarely considered. Especially given the COVID-19 pandemic, many hospitals and practices are in desperate need of respiratory therapists. The medical field provides excellent job stability as we will always need medical professionals for the foreseeable future.

Q: Do respiratory therapists make good money?

Yes, respiratory therapists make good money. A respiratory therapist makes $62,500 a year on average, which is roughly $10,000 higher than the national average. A respiratory therapist can make anywhere between $54,000 and $75,000, with outliers on either side. This may also vary by state, as California's average salary for a respiratory therapist is roughly $80,000.

Q: How much do RRTs make an hour?

Registered respiratory therapists make $31/hr on average. This pay rate is heavily dependent on the state in which the RRT practices, as more metropolitan locations, tend to pay much higher as opposed to rural areas. Depending on location and practice, you can expect to earn as low as $19/hr or up to as high as $68/hr.

Question 1

How long does it take to become a Respiratory Therapist?

Accepted Answer

It takes 4 years of professional experience to become a respiratory therapist. That is the time it takes to learn specific respiratory therapist skills, but does not account for time spent in formal education. If you include the normal education requirements to complete a college degree, then it takes 7 to 9 years years to become a respiratory therapist.

Question 2

How many years does it take to become a respiratory therapist?

Accepted Answer

It takes a minimum of two years to become a respiratory therapist. It takes roughly two years at the minimum to become a respiratory therapist, as you will need an associate's degree at minimum. That being said, most employers favor candidates who have a bachelor's degree in the field, which takes four years to complete.

Question 3

How much schooling do you need to be a respiratory therapist?

Accepted Answer

You need a minimum of two years of schooling to be a respiratory therapist. To become a respiratory therapist, you need at minimum an associate's degree within the field. That being said, most employers expect at least a bachelor's degree.

Question 4

Is a respiratory therapist a good career?

Accepted Answer

Yes, respiratory therapist is a good career. The medical field is always in need of capable medical professionals, and this field is rarely considered.

Especially given the COVID-19 pandemic, many hospitals and practices are in desperate need of respiratory therapists. The medical field provides excellent job stability as we will always need medical professionals for the foreseeable future.

Question 5

Respiratory Therapist vs Nurse

Accepted Answer

A respiratory therapist is a certified medical professional that treats patients that have medical issues with their lungs or breathing, while a nurse is a more broad medical role and helps to manage patient's physical needs, prevent illness, and treat health conditions.

Question 6

What are the pros and cons of being a respiratory therapist?

Accepted Answer

There are several pros and cons of being a respiratory therapist. The pros are good benefits and high activity, while the cons are educational requirements and physical demands.

Here is a more detailed look at the pros and cons of being a school counselor:

Question 7

What is a good starting salary for a Respiratory Therapist?

Accepted Answer

A good starting salary for a respiratory therapist is $36,000 in the United States. That puts you in the 10th percentile of annual income for a respiratory therapist in the U.S., which is about what you would expect if you were new to the field. The average salary for respiratory therapists is $54,352, but that normally requires some level of experience to achieve. Furthermore, a good starting salary for a respiratory therapist can vary by state.

Question 8

Do respiratory therapists make good money?

Accepted Answer

Yes, respiratory therapists make good money. A respiratory therapist makes $62,500 a year on average, which is roughly $10,000 higher than the national average.

A respiratory therapist can make anywhere between $54,000 and $75,000, with outliers on either side. This may also vary by state, as California's average salary for a respiratory therapist is roughly $80,000.

Question 9

How much do RRTs make an hour?

Accepted Answer

Registered respiratory therapists make $31/hr on average. This pay rate is heavily dependent on the state in which the RRT practices, as more metropolitan locations, tend to pay much higher as opposed to rural areas. Depending on location and practice, you can expect to earn as low as $19/hr or up to as high as $68/hr.

Question 10

What is the salary for a respiratory therapist?

Accepted Answer

The average salary for a respiratory therapist is $62,500 a year. On average, a respiratory therapist will make $62,500 a year, which is roughly $10,000 higher than the national wage average.

Question 11

Can a respiratory therapist make 100k?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can make $100,000 per year as a respiratory therapist. While possible, it is unlikely to earn over $100k as a respiratory therapist because even higher-paid positions do not typically earn more than $81,000 per year. The average annual salary for a respiratory therapist is $54,352. For example, respiratory therapists in District of Columbia whose salaries are in the 90th percentile earn an average salary of $101,000.

Question 12

How much does a respiratory therapist start out making?

Accepted Answer

A respiratory therapist starts out making $58,000 a year. Respiratory therapists can expect to make anywhere between $50,000-$60,000 a year, depending on the state in which they are practicing.

Question 13

Is respiratory therapist a hard job?

Accepted Answer

Yes, respiratory therapist is a hard job. Respiratory therapists do not have the same responsibilities as a standard nurse practitioner, though this isn't to say that the job is easy. To become a respiratory therapist, you will need a minimum of two years of med school to attain an associate's degree.

Question 14

Is respiratory therapy a dying field?

Accepted Answer

No, respiratory therapy is not a dying field. Respiratory therapy has been considered a dying career line for the past few years, but with the massive impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the entirety of the world, the demand for respiratory therapists has risen significantly.

Question 15

What percentage of Respiratory Therapists are female?

Accepted Answer

61.6% of respiratory therapists are female in the United States. This is -0.1 percentage points lower than last year. Additionally, the percentage of female respiratory therapists has increased by 4.0 percentage points since 2010. That means there are a total of 81,023 female respiratory therapists in the U.S. and 50,508 male respiratory therapists in the United States. Note that Zippia's estimate accounts only for the 131,531 people with the specific job title of respiratory therapist and doesn't include grouping similar job titles, or people with potentially similar credentialing.

Question 16

What are the skills of a respiratory therapist?

Accepted Answer

The skills that a respiratory therapist needs to include on a resume include emotional stability, analytical and critical thinking, and communication. Each of these skills, alongside professional knowledge and expertise, are needed to ensure that respiratory therapist can perform their job to the best of their ability.

Question 17

What are the three duties of a respiratory therapist?

Accepted Answer

Three critical duties of a respiratory therapist are to administer oxygen, perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and monitor cardiopulmonary systems. A respiratory therapist is a certified healthcare professional specializing in cardio-pulmonary treatment and critical care related to the lungs and breathing.

Question 18

What is a good resume objective for a respiratory therapist?

Accepted Answer

A good resume objective for a respiratory therapist showcases the specific healthcare and respiratory therapy background and soft skills you have. It should give people a glimpse of past work and an indication of all the skills you have and the type of projects you can do.

Question 19

What should a respiratory therapist put on a resume?

Accepted Answer

A respiratory therapist should include all relevant work experiences and education in the healthcare and ICU roles on a resume. From here, they will organize and develop this information to make it as relevant and compelling as possible.

Question 20

What degree do you need to be a respiratory therapist?

Accepted Answer

You need either an associate's or bachelor's degree from an accredited respiratory therapy education program in order to become a respiratory therapist.

Most states require a license to work in the field, and each state has its own requirements. To qualify for licensure, one must hold a minimum of an associate degree from an accredited college in respiratory therapy.

Question 21

What does a respiratory therapist do on a daily basis?

Accepted Answer

A respiratory therapist performs patient assessments and devises treatment plans, conducts respiratory treatments, and documents patient care on a daily basis. Here are some details on the common daily activities of a respiratory therapist:

Question 22

Where do respiratory therapists work?

Accepted Answer

Respiratory therapists work in general medical and surgical hospitals, outpatient care centers, and nursing care facilities. While they may work in any of these environments, 71.8% of respiratory therapists work in general medical and surgical hospitals.

Question 23

Who do respiratory therapists work with?

Accepted Answer

Respiratory therapists work with doctors, nurses, respiratory assistants, and other healthcare professionals. Here is a closer look at the variety of medical professionals that a respiratory therapist works with:

Frequently asked questions about respiratory therapists

Questions about becoming a respiratory therapist