Respiratory Therapists
Respiratory therapists assess and treat patients with breathing disorders in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings. They operate and maintain respiratory equipment, supervise respiratory therapy technicians, and manage patient care plans. The role requires direct patient interaction and responsibility for implementing breathing treatments and life support therapies.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against respiratory therapists and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
Respiratory therapists spend their time evaluating patients' lung function, administering oxygen therapy, and managing ventilators in intensive care units and hospital floors. They may set up and troubleshoot equipment, educate patients on inhaler use, perform diagnostic tests, document patient progress, and coordinate with physicians on treatment adjustments. Work involves moving between patient rooms and may include overnight or weekend shifts.
Who this work suits
Holland code RSI. Realistic work is hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
You likely enjoy hands-on work with equipment and direct patient care, valuing practical problem-solving. You're comfortable communicating with patients and healthcare teams, and you're motivated by helping people through concrete, immediate actions rather than abstract tasks.
What it takes
Preparation: Medium preparation (vocational training, an associate degree, or related experience).
Skills that matter most
Knowledge areas
Who is hiring
Openings right now
- Supervisory Registered Respiratory Therapist · Veterans Health Administration · Albuquerque, New Mexico · $107592–$139871
- Registered Respiratory Therapist · Veterans Health Administration · Albuquerque, New Mexico · $41178–$98141
- Registered Respiratory Therapist · Veterans Health Administration · Dallas, Texas · $44285–$105547
- Registered Respiratory Therapist · Veterans Health Administration · Kansas City, Missouri · $79476–$103324
- Supervisory Registered Respiratory Therapist · Veterans Health Administration · Dallas, Texas · $115711–$150426
- INT Registered Respiratory Therapist · Veterans Health Administration · Multiple Locations · $88005–$114413
- Lead Registered Respiratory Therapist · Veterans Health Administration · San Francisco, California · $111896–$145468
- Registered Respiratory Therapist · Veterans Health Administration · Buffalo, New York · $57331–$106161
Openings are read from employers’ own career pages and public job boards and change daily. Search all openings (free account) to filter by distance, pay and how well you qualify.
Pay by state
| State | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $98,900 | $111,950 | $127,400 | 430 |
| New York | $95,690 | $107,810 | $126,880 | 7,010 |
| California | $87,750 | $104,820 | $129,010 | 18,650 |
| Massachusetts | $86,120 | $102,170 | $107,930 | 2,220 |
| Washington | $84,870 | $101,130 | $106,150 | 1,860 |
| New Jersey | $87,560 | $100,810 | $106,320 | 3,350 |
| Oregon | $85,310 | $100,560 | $104,360 | 1,340 |
| Minnesota | $86,440 | $98,710 | $103,010 | 1,250 |
| Alaska | $84,560 | $97,950 | $101,280 | 180 |
| New Hampshire | $84,300 | $95,940 | $101,180 | 360 |
| Hawaii | $86,150 | $94,210 | $102,170 | 510 |
| Delaware | $82,880 | $91,080 | $97,000 | 500 |
All 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico
Certifications people in this field hold
- Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) — National Board for Respiratory Care
- Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) — National Board for Respiratory Care
- Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Care Specialist (RRT-NPS) — National Board for Respiratory Care
Training
Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.
Job titles in this occupation
Related occupations
Four short assessments and your background, scored against respiratory therapists and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 29-1126.00 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.