How much does a respiratory therapist make?
a year · about $40 an hour
A typical respiratory therapist in the United States makes $82,280 a year, about $40 an hour, about 1.6× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They check breathing, run lung tests, give treatments, and track oxygen and other signs. In emergencies, they may connect and monitor ventilators, while also teaching patients and families how to use breathing equipment.
Did you know? The first person in the U.S. to earn the profession’s registry credential was Sister M. Yvonne Jenn, in 1960.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $63,660 and $118,050How do you become one?
After high school, complete an accredited respiratory-therapy associate degree program with supervised clinical practice. At 18 or older, take the NBRC credentialing exam(s) and meet your state’s licensing rules; Alaska does not require a license.
School needed: Vocational school or a few years' experience
Good for people who like building and doing and helping and teaching
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, pay can differ with experience, credentials and specialty, and the kind of employer, such as a hospital or doctor’s office. Location and working nights, weekends, or holidays can matter too.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in New York ($107,810), lowest in Mississippi ($63,270).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $63,660 | $82,280 | $118,050 | about 140,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $107,810 | about 7,000 |
| California | $104,820 | about 19,000 |
| Massachusetts | $102,170 | about 2,000 |
| Washington | $101,130 | about 2,000 |
| New Jersey | $100,810 | about 3,000 |
Official definition: Assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders. Assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care modalities, including the supervision of respiratory therapy technicians. Initiate and conduct therapeutic procedures; maintain patient records; and select, assemble, check, and operate equipment.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/respiratory-therapists.htm
- www.nbrc.org/examinations/rrt
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- jobs.aarc.org/career-resources/employer-4/competitive-pay-packages-for-respirato
- museum.aarc.org/galleries/legends-of-respiratory-care
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY