Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Respiratory therapists typically need an associate’s degree in respiratory therapy. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have a bachelor’s degree. Respiratory therapists must be licensed in all states except Alaska; requirements vary by state. PayThe median annual wage for respiratory therapists was $82,280 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of respiratory therapists is projected to grow 9 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 8,600 openings for respiratory therapists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for respiratory therapists. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of respiratory therapists with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about respiratory therapists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for respiratory therapists was $82,280 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of respiratory therapists is projected to grow 9 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 8,600 openings for respiratory therapists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for respiratory therapists. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of respiratory therapists with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about respiratory therapists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of respiratory therapists is projected to grow 9 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 8,600 openings for respiratory therapists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for respiratory therapists. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of respiratory therapists with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about respiratory therapists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Respiratory therapists care for patients who have trouble breathing—for example, because of a chronic condition such as asthma.
Work Environment
Most respiratory therapists work full time. Because they may work in medical facilities that are always open, such as hospitals, they may have shifts that include nights, weekends, or holidays.
How to Become a Respiratory Therapist
Respiratory therapists typically need an associate’s degree in respiratory therapy. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have a bachelor’s degree. Respiratory therapists must be licensed in all states except Alaska; requirements vary by state.
Pay
The median annual wage for respiratory therapists was $82,280 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of respiratory therapists is projected to grow 9 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 8,600 openings for respiratory therapists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for respiratory therapists.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of respiratory therapists with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about respiratory therapists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Most respiratory therapists work full time. Because they may work in medical facilities that are always open, such as hospitals, they may have shifts that include nights, weekends, or holidays.
How to Become a Respiratory Therapist
Respiratory therapists typically need an associate’s degree in respiratory therapy. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have a bachelor’s degree. Respiratory therapists must be licensed in all states except Alaska; requirements vary by state.
Pay
The median annual wage for respiratory therapists was $82,280 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of respiratory therapists is projected to grow 9 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 8,600 openings for respiratory therapists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for respiratory therapists.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of respiratory therapists with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about respiratory therapists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for respiratory therapists.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of respiratory therapists with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about respiratory therapists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about respiratory therapists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.