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The differences between sleep technicians and respiratory therapists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a respiratory therapist has an average salary of $55,617, which is higher than the $50,458 average annual salary of a sleep technician.
The top three skills for a sleep technician include patients, patient care and RPSGT. The most important skills for a respiratory therapist are patients, respiratory care, and BLS.
| Sleep Technician | Respiratory Therapist | |
| Yearly salary | $50,458 | $55,617 |
| Hourly rate | $24.26 | $26.74 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 14% |
| Number of jobs | 25,502 | 33,980 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3.33 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 40% | Associate Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 43 | 46 |
| Years of experience | - | 12 |
The sleep technician is someone who works with a physician to ensure the optimal sleep experience of people. The sleep technician's goal is to assist the physician in diagnosing the type of sleep problem of a patient. The sleep technician will help monitor the patient's vital signs, determine sleep patterns, and help execute all prescriptions and instructions of a physician. The sleep technician also works in various laboratory roles, especially in studies concerning people's sleep patterns and problems.
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.
Sleep technicians and respiratory therapists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Sleep Technician | Respiratory Therapist | |
| Average salary | $50,458 | $55,617 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $70,000 | Between $33,000 And $91,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Lancaster, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | California |
| Best paying company | - | Heartland Home Health Inc. |
| Best paying industry | - | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a sleep technician and a respiratory therapist in terms of educational background:
| Sleep Technician | Respiratory Therapist | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 40% | Associate Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Medical Technician | Medical Technician |
| Most common college | University of Connecticut | Duke University |
Here are the differences between sleep technicians' and respiratory therapists' demographics:
| Sleep Technician | Respiratory Therapist | |
| Average age | 43 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 36.9% Female, 63.1% | Male, 37.5% Female, 62.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 8.8% White, 57.7% 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% |