Respiratory therapist vs respiratory supervisor

The differences between respiratory therapists and respiratory supervisors 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 supervisor. Additionally, a respiratory supervisor has an average salary of $60,604, 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 supervisor are patients, BLS, and acls.

Respiratory therapist vs respiratory supervisor overview

	Respiratory Therapist	Respiratory Supervisor
Yearly salary	$55,617	$60,604
Hourly rate	$26.74	$29.14
Growth rate	14%	14%
Number of jobs	33,980	21,370
Job satisfaction	3.33	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 70%	Associate Degree, 57%
Average age	46	46
Years of experience	12	12

What does a respiratory therapist do?

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.

What does a respiratory supervisor do?

A respiratory supervisor is tasked with the job of administering life support and respiratory therapy to patients with abnormalities, deficiencies, and injuries of the cardiopulmonary system. They work under the supervision of the physician in charge. They monitor patients' conditions and report to the medical team or nurses. Their duties and responsibilities also include assigning, training, supervising, and counseling employees.

Respiratory therapist vs respiratory supervisor salary

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

	Respiratory Therapist	Respiratory Supervisor
Average salary	$55,617	$60,604
Salary range	Between $33,000 And $91,000	Between $30,000 And $119,000
Highest paying City	Lancaster, CA	-
Highest paying state	California	-
Best paying company	Heartland Home Health Inc.	-
Best paying industry	Health Care	-

Differences between respiratory therapist and respiratory supervisor education

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

	Respiratory Therapist	Respiratory Supervisor
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 70%	Associate Degree, 57%
Most common major	Medical Technician	Medical Technician
Most common college	Duke University	Northwestern University

Respiratory therapist vs respiratory supervisor demographics

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

	Respiratory Therapist	Respiratory Supervisor
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 37.5% Female, 62.5%	Male, 53.5% Female, 46.5%
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, 11.8% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 13.8% Asian, 6.4% White, 63.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between respiratory therapist and respiratory supervisor 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.

Respiratory supervisor example responsibilities.

Manage a staff of 6 therapists , 2.5 FTE's and 3 PRN.
Manage DME and respiratory activities for the company.
Provide emergency care such as manual ventilation, intubation, and CPR.
Assist with neonatal resuscitation and intubation.
Assist physicians with emergency care such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation and intubation.
Oversee all legalities of ABG lab.

Respiratory therapist vs respiratory supervisor skills

Common respiratory therapist skills

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

Common respiratory supervisor skills

Patients, 20%
BLS, 12%
Acls, 8%
Acute Care, 6%
NRP, 4%
CPR, 4%

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Respiratory Therapist
Respiratory Therapist vs Respiratory Supervisor

Updated January 8, 2025

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