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Respiratory therapist: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 28, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$82,280median pay per year, or $39.56 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $63,660lowest 10% earn less
  2. $74,52025th percentile
  3. $82,280median
  4. $98,73075th percentile
  5. $118,050top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

Respiratory therapists earned a median of $82,280 a year in May 2025[1]. Jobs are projected to grow 8.5% from 2025 to 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations[2][3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+8.5%[2]
Openings per year
8,600[6]
Typical entry education
Associate's degree[7]

How much do respiratory therapists make?

The median pay for respiratory therapists was $82,280 a year, or $39.56 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. The average was $87,300 a year, or $41.97 an hour[8]. For comparison, the median for all occupations was $50,980[5].

The range is wide. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $63,660, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $118,050[4]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9]. The 25th percentile was $74,520 and the 75th was $98,730[4].

Per hour, the same 10th and 90th percentile marks were $30.61 and $56.75[10].

Measure Annual wage Source
10th percentile[4] $63,660
Median[1] $82,280
Mean[8] $87,300
90th percentile[4] $118,050

These figures cover wage and salary workers, full and part time. They leave out the self-employed, bonuses that are not tied to production, and the cost of benefits[11].

Pay by state and city

The District of Columbia had the highest median wage at $111,950, followed by New York at $107,810 and California at $104,820[12]. Mississippi had the lowest listed median at $63,270[12].

California had the most jobs, at 18,650[13]. Texas followed with 12,130, then Florida with 8,820, New York with 7,010 and Ohio with 6,640[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA had the highest median at $149,680[14]. Vallejo, CA followed at $136,200, and Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA at $134,430[14]. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ each had 7,010 jobs, the most of any metro area[15].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
District of Columbia[12]$111,950430
New York$107,8107,010
California$104,82018,650
Massachusetts$102,1702,220
Washington$101,1301,860
New Jersey$100,8103,350
Oregon$100,5601,340
Minnesota$98,7101,250
Alaska$97,950180
New Hampshire$95,940360
Hawaii$94,210510
Delaware$91,080500
Maryland$88,9601,800
Rhode Island$86,900260
Colorado$86,2202,110
Nevada$85,4801,270
Connecticut$85,2301,370
Wisconsin$84,2101,940
Illinois$84,0904,880
Vermont$83,820210
Georgia$83,7005,150
Virginia$82,9103,340
Maine$82,470520
Nebraska$81,590840
North Dakota$81,230270
Montana$81,190390
Florida$81,1608,820
Utah$80,6501,170
North Carolina$80,0904,630
Ohio$79,9206,640
Michigan$79,8504,520
Arizona$79,7803,500
Indiana$79,7303,170
Texas$79,54012,130
Wyoming$79,330160
Oklahoma$78,8002,000
Pennsylvania$78,4906,530
Idaho$78,460820
Missouri$78,3903,030
South Carolina$77,7401,960
Kansas$76,9701,450
Louisiana$75,2402,520
Iowa$74,760910
Arkansas$73,8701,400
Kentucky$72,7502,530
Tennessee$72,1403,440
New Mexico$68,870840
West Virginia$68,6701,140
South Dakota$68,240430
Alabama$66,1502,350
Mississippi$63,2701,670

How to become a respiratory therapist

The typical entry path has no required work experience and no on-the-job training[7]. The steps look like this:

There are two main certification levels, Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) and Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT). Candidates typically sit for the CRT exam first, and CRTs can take a second exam for the RRT. Some employers require the RRT before hiring or within a set time on the job[19].

Some programs have prerequisites. High school students who want to apply can take biology, algebra, chemistry and physics[20]. Programs run at colleges and vocational-technical institutes, and an accredited Armed Forces program also leads to an associate's degree[21].

For exact licensing rules, contact your state's health board[18].

What respiratory therapists do

Respiratory therapists care for patients with breathing disorders. They are responsible for respiratory care and may supervise respiratory therapy technicians[22]. Common tasks include:

The handbook lists compassion, attention to detail, patience and problem-solving among the useful qualities. Therapists also need to work well on a team and take direction from a supervising physician[24][25][26][27][28].

Where they work

Hospitals (state, local and private) were the largest employers in 2025, at 80%[29]. Within a hospital, therapists work in parts of the hospital such as the emergency room, critical care and neonatal intensive care[30].

The work can be physical. Therapists may stand for long periods and may lift or turn patients, which can cause strains or sprains. They may also be exposed to patients with infectious diseases[31][32]. Most work full time. Because medical facilities such as hospitals are always open, shifts may include nights, weekends or holidays[33].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of respiratory therapists to grow 8.5% from 2025 to 2035[2]. That is from about 142,000 to 154,200 jobs, or 12,100 more[2]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% over the same period[3].

About 8,600 openings are projected each year[6]. Some come from workers leaving the field, not only from new jobs[6]. Each year, 3% of workers leave the labor force and 2% move to a different occupation[34].

BLS points to growing demand for respiratory care services, in hospitals and in other settings[35]. The projection count of about 142,000 includes self-employed workers, so it differs from the 139,790 wage and salary jobs counted in the wage data[36][2].

Is it a good fit?

The facts show pay above the all-occupations median, with a median of $82,280 against $50,980[1][5]. The typical entry education is an associate's degree, with no work experience required[7]. Licensing applies in nearly every state[18]. Jobs are projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations[2][3]. The work can involve long periods on your feet, lifting patients and shifts at night or on weekends[31][33].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[37].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a respiratory therapist make an hour?
The median was $39.56 an hour in May 2025, and the average was $41.97[1][8].
What degree do you need to be a respiratory therapist?
The typical entry education is an associate's degree[7]. It comes from an accredited respiratory therapy program, and some employers prefer a bachelor's degree[16].
Do respiratory therapists need a license?
Yes in all states except Alaska, where national certification is recommended. Rules vary by state and usually include an exam[18].
Is respiratory therapist in demand?
Employment is projected to grow 8.5% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[2][3]. About 8,600 openings are projected each year[6].
What is the highest paying state for respiratory therapists?
The District of Columbia, with a median of $111,950[12]. New York ($107,810) and California ($104,820) follow[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Respiratory Therapists in the US was $82,280 per year and $39.56 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Respiratory Therapists is projected to grow 8.5% from 2025 to 2035, from about 142,000 to 154,200 jobs (a change of +12,100). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Respiratory Therapists: 10th percentile $63,660, 25th percentile $74,520, 75th percentile $98,730, 90th percentile $118,050. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 8,600 openings for Respiratory Therapists are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Respiratory Therapists: education needed for entry: Associate's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Respiratory Therapists was $87,300 per year and $41.97 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Respiratory Therapists: 10th percentile $30.61, 25th percentile $35.83, 75th percentile $47.47, 90th percentile $56.75. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Respiratory Therapists in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Respiratory Therapists jobs: California 18,650; Texas 12,130; Florida 8,820; New York 7,010; Ohio 6,640. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Respiratory Therapists (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $149,680; Vallejo, CA $136,200; Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $134,430; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $130,220; Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $123,220; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $110,490; Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $108,600; Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY $106,910. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Respiratory Therapists jobs: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 7,010 (median $104,640); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 7,010 (median $110,490); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 3,630 (median $80,450); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 3,620 (median $87,060); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 3,010 (median $84,080); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 2,990 (median $88,790). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. O*NET description of Respiratory Therapists. O*NET OnLine
  23. O*NET task list for Respiratory Therapists. O*NET OnLine
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of respiratory therapists in 2025: Hospitals; state, local, and private 80%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Respiratory Therapists: 3% of workers leave the labor force each year and 2% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  35. BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Respiratory Therapists: Demand change - share increases as the demand for respiratory care services grows. Respiratory therapists will be increasingly needed across hospital and non-hospital settings to treat a wide variety of conditions and patients. BLS Employment Projections
  36. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 139,790 people were employed as Respiratory Therapists in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  37. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.