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Respiratory therapist vs respiratory director

The differences between respiratory therapists and respiratory directors 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 respiratory director. Additionally, a respiratory director has an average salary of $75,123, 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 respiratory director are patients, EKG, and RRT.

Respiratory therapist vs respiratory director overview

Respiratory TherapistRespiratory Director
Yearly salary$55,617$75,123
Hourly rate$26.74$36.12
Growth rate14%14%
Number of jobs33,98024,790
Job satisfaction3.33-
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 70%Associate Degree, 58%
Average age4646
Years of experience1212

Respiratory therapist vs respiratory director salary

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

Respiratory TherapistRespiratory Director
Average salary$55,617$75,123
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $91,000Between $52,000 And $108,000
Highest paying CityLancaster, CA-
Highest paying stateCalifornia-
Best paying companyHeartland Home Health Inc.-
Best paying industryHealth Care-

Differences between respiratory therapist and respiratory director education

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

Respiratory TherapistRespiratory Director
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 70%Associate Degree, 58%
Most common majorMedical TechnicianMedical Technician
Most common collegeDuke UniversityUniversity of Southern California

Respiratory therapist vs respiratory director demographics

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

Respiratory TherapistRespiratory Director
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 37.5% Female, 62.5%Male, 49.7% Female, 50.3%
Race ratioBlack 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, 12.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.1% Asian, 6.4% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between respiratory therapist and respiratory director 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.
    • Show more

Respiratory director example responsibilities.

  • Manage ventilated-dependent patients, assist with ventilator transports, prepare equipment for decontamination, bronchial hygiene management
  • Conduct therapeutic procedures to maintain a patent airway, remove via suctioning of secretions, to achieve adequate ventilation & oxygenation.
  • Organize efforts for JCAHO accreditation.
  • Perform ABG draws and run results, monitor and maintain IRMA blood gas machine.
  • Operate and monitor patients on mechanical ventilator, CPAP/BiPAP, bedside PFT, arterial blood gas (i-STAT).
  • Certify and proficient in tracheostomy insertion and replacement.
    • Show more

Respiratory therapist vs respiratory director skills

Common respiratory therapist skills
  • Patients, 18%
  • Respiratory Care, 11%
  • BLS, 8%
  • RRT, 7%
  • Acls, 5%
  • Ventilation, 4%
Common respiratory director skills
  • Patients, 32%
  • EKG, 8%
  • RRT, 7%
  • Acute Care, 4%
  • Acls, 4%
  • Direct Patient Care, 3%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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