What Respiratory Therapists do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Respiratory Therapists this way: "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."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Set up and operate devices, such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, or aerosol generators, following specified parameters of treatment"; "Provide emergency care, such as artificial respiration, external cardiac massage, or assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation"; "Determine requirements for treatment, such as type, method and duration of therapy, precautions to be taken, or medication and dosages, compatible with physicians' orders"; "Monitor patient's physiological responses to therapy, such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, or blood chemistry changes, and consult with physician if adverse reactions occur"; "Read prescription, measure arterial blood gases, and review patient information to assess patient condition".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is associate's degree.
Job outlook for Respiratory Therapists
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 142,000 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 154,200 in 2035, an increase of 12,200 jobs (+8.5%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 8,600 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 6.1% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $82,280, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Respiratory Therapists earn the most
Across the 3 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $102,894 in New Jersey to $111,268 in California, a gap of $8,374 (1.08 times). 3 of those 3 states average above the BLS national median of $82,280 and 0 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 17,980, which is 47.5% of the 37,870 counted across them. New Jersey follows with 10,600.
Highest-paying states
California ($111,268), New York ($105,409) and New Jersey ($102,894) lead the ranking, while New Jersey ($102,894) and New York ($105,409) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Respiratory Therapists: pay against the cost of living
We compare 3 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Bergen County, NJ (New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ) at $50,107. The smallest margin is $38,120 in Los Angeles County, CA.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 3 of the 3 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 29.3% and 40.6% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Respiratory Therapists
Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists and Speech-Language Pathologists belong to the same detailed SOC group. Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (29-1000) include Anesthesiologists, General Internal Medicine Physicians, Dentists, General and Pharmacists.
Frequently asked questions about Respiratory Therapists
What is the national median wage for Respiratory Therapists?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $82,280. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $102,894 to $111,268.
Which state pays Respiratory Therapists the most?
California, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $111,268. New York is next at $105,409.
What is the job outlook for Respiratory Therapists?
BLS projects employment to grow by 8.5% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 8,600 openings a year.
What education do Respiratory Therapists need?
The typical entry-level education is associate's degree, according to BLS.
Where can Respiratory Therapists afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Bergen County, NJ leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $50,107 on a median wage of $110,490.