Respiratory therapist vs certified respiratory therapist

The differences between respiratory therapists and certified respiratory therapists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a respiratory therapist and a certified respiratory therapist. Additionally, a certified respiratory therapist has an average salary of $55,772, which is higher than the $55,617 average annual salary of a respiratory therapist.

The top three skills for a respiratory therapist include patients, respiratory care and BLS. The most important skills for a certified respiratory therapist are patients, respiratory care, and BLS.

Respiratory therapist vs certified respiratory therapist overview

	Respiratory Therapist	Certified Respiratory Therapist
Yearly salary	$55,617	$55,772
Hourly rate	$26.74	$26.81
Growth rate	14%	14%
Number of jobs	33,980	68,163
Job satisfaction	3.33	3
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 70%	Associate Degree, 74%
Average age	46	46
Years of experience	12	12

Respiratory therapist vs certified respiratory therapist salary

Respiratory therapists and certified respiratory therapists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Respiratory Therapist	Certified Respiratory Therapist
Average salary	$55,617	$55,772
Salary range	Between $33,000 And $91,000	Between $33,000 And $93,000
Highest paying City	Lancaster, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	California	California
Best paying company	Heartland Home Health Inc.	Heartland Home Health Inc.
Best paying industry	Health Care	Health Care

Differences between respiratory therapist and certified respiratory therapist education

There are a few differences between a respiratory therapist and a certified respiratory therapist in terms of educational background:

	Respiratory Therapist	Certified Respiratory Therapist
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 70%	Associate Degree, 74%
Most common major	Medical Technician	Medical Technician
Most common college	Duke University	Duke University

Respiratory therapist vs certified respiratory therapist demographics

Here are the differences between respiratory therapists' and certified respiratory therapists' demographics:

	Respiratory Therapist	Certified Respiratory Therapist
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 37.5% Female, 62.5%	Male, 23.7% Female, 76.3%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 12.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 6.3% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between respiratory therapist and certified respiratory therapist duties and responsibilities

Respiratory therapist example responsibilities.

Manage ventilators through morning planning and protocols for trauma, ICU, and open heart unit.
Manage artificial airways, mechanically ventilate patients, pulmonary rehab patients and perform CPR in code situations.
Perform diagnostic procedures such as EEG, PFT, and Bronchoscopy.
Perform all aspects of respiratory care from intubation to ventilation, and medication delivery.
Provide critical care services including mechanical ventilation, pulmonary toilet, respiratory pharmacological medicine, overall respiratory evaluation and observation.
Attend and complete ACLS, BLS, and telemetry monitoring certification courses.

Certified respiratory therapist example responsibilities.

Manage and maintain tracheostomy vent dependent patients.
Perform airway management and intubations need for ACLS patients.
Provide education and instructions for CPAP and BIPAP patients about the actual disease process then report results to referring physician.
Order HME equipment for patients (oxygen, CPAP's etc . )
Evaluate, treat, and counsele patients (primarily in the NICU) with breathing or other cardiopulmonary disorders.
Administer respiratory therapy care and life support to patients with deficiencies and abnormalities of cardiopulmonary system.

Respiratory therapist vs certified respiratory therapist skills

Common respiratory therapist skills

Patients, 18%
Respiratory Care, 11%
BLS, 8%
RRT, 7%
Acls, 5%
Ventilation, 4%

Common certified respiratory therapist skills

Patients, 22%
Respiratory Care, 11%
BLS, 8%
Life Support, 5%
CRT, 5%
Ventilation, 4%

Respiratory Therapist vs. similar jobs

Respiratory Therapist related careers

Respiratory Therapist related jobs

Respiratory Therapist jobs by location

Zippia Careers
Healthcare Practitioner and Technical Industry
Respiratory Therapist
Respiratory Therapist vs Certified Respiratory Therapist

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse healthcare practitioner and technical jobs