Respiratory Therapists
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.Salary by State
| State Name | Employment | Annual Salary | Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 2,590 | $52,950 | $25.46 | |
| Alaska | 150 | $83,530 | $40.16 | |
| Arizona | 3,380 | $64,440 | $30.98 | |
| Arkansas | 1,530 | $56,140 | $26.99 | |
| California | 16,530 | $92,660 | $44.55 | |
| Colorado | 1,840 | $68,340 | $32.86 | |
| Connecticut | 1,590 | $71,590 | $34.42 | |
| Delaware | 490 | $70,950 | $34.11 | |
| District of Columbia | 300 | $77,820 | $37.41 | |
| Florida | 8,340 | $61,090 | $29.37 | |
| Georgia | 3,880 | $60,260 | $28.97 | |
| Hawaii | 310 | $80,140 | $38.53 | |
| Idaho | 530 | $61,900 | $29.76 | |
| Illinois | 5,440 | $62,780 | $30.18 | |
| Indiana | 3,600 | $60,880 | $29.27 | |
| Iowa | 900 | $57,510 | $27.65 | |
| Kansas | 1,240 | $60,530 | $29.10 | |
| Kentucky | 3,060 | $55,190 | $26.54 | |
| Louisiana | 2,410 | $57,780 | $27.78 | |
| Maine | 600 | $63,130 | $30.35 | |
| Maryland | 1,580 | $72,710 | $34.96 | |
| Massachusetts | 2,260 | $78,470 | $37.73 | |
| Michigan | 4,820 | $61,100 | $29.38 | |
| Minnesota | 1,580 | $71,970 | $34.60 | |
| Mississippi | 1,730 | $52,060 | $25.03 | |
| Missouri | 3,140 | $59,900 | $28.80 | |
| Montana | 370 | $62,040 | $29.83 | |
| Nebraska | 870 | $61,070 | $29.36 | |
| Nevada | 1,330 | $76,500 | $36.78 | |
| New Hampshire | 400 | $70,690 | $33.99 | |
| New Jersey | 3,530 | $77,580 | $37.30 | |
| New Mexico | 650 | $59,780 | $28.74 | |
| New York | 6,590 | $83,510 | $40.15 | |
| North Carolina | 4,380 | $60,760 | $29.21 | |
| North Dakota | 330 | $62,230 | $29.92 | |
| Ohio | 6,060 | $62,580 | $30.09 | |
| Oklahoma | 1,800 | $60,790 | $29.23 | |
| Oregon | 1,230 | $76,140 | $36.61 | |
| Pennsylvania | 5,660 | $64,100 | $30.82 | |
| Rhode Island | 370 | $67,970 | $32.68 | |
| South Carolina | 1,990 | $61,450 | $29.54 | |
| South Dakota | 360 | $54,580 | $26.24 | |
| Tennessee | 3,590 | $55,590 | $26.72 | |
| Texas | 10,810 | $65,200 | $31.34 | |
| Utah | 1,140 | $67,610 | $32.51 | |
| Vermont | 190 | $67,090 | $32.26 | |
| Virginia | 2,570 | $65,240 | $31.37 | |
| Washington | 2,090 | $78,240 | $37.61 | |
| West Virginia | 1,030 | $55,160 | $26.52 | |
| Wisconsin | 2,100 | $67,540 | $32.47 | |
| Wyoming | 170 | $62,400 | $30.00 |
Education
The programs listed below are typically the education paths that can land you this kind of job.
A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of physicians, to assist in developing respiratory care plans, administer respiratory care procedures, supervise personnel and equipment operation, maintain records, and consult with other health care team members. Includes instruction in the applied basic biomedical sciences; anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the respiratory system; clinical medicine; therapeutic procedures; clinical expressions; data collection and record-keeping; patient communication; equipment operation and maintenance; personnel supervision; and procedures for special population groups.
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$68,190 per yearNational average salaryVery HighJob growth rate
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Associate's degreeTypical education requirement
Educational Attainment
The following chart shows the highest education level completed by those working as respiratory therapists.
- Less than high school 1%
- High school graduate 3%
- College dropout 10%
- Associate’s degree 55%
- Bachelor’s degree 26%
- Master’s degree 4%
- Doctorate degree 1%
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