Respiratory Therapy is:
- a career
- an exciting, stimulating profession
- for those individuals who enjoy working with people and helping others
- direct one-on-one patient contact
- employed in diagnosis, treatment, management, preventive care and rehabilitation of patients with cardiopulmonary problems
- caring for patients with asthma, emphysema, pneumonia, pulmonary edema, respiratory distress, croup, bronchitis, cardiac failure, respiratory failure and more
- a promising future
The respiratory therapist must be proficient in the therapeutic use of such aids to the cardiopulmonary system as medical gases, humidification, aerosols, mechanical ventilation, mechanical airways, chest physiotherapy and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Pulmonary function testing, arterial blood gas analysis and other diagnostic techniques are employed to assist the physician in the management of patient care.
As a registered respiratory therapist, you will be eligible to provide care in the following areas:
- Pediatrics
- Newborn Intensive Care
- Adult Critical Care
- Trauma
- Sleep Medicine
- Diagnostics
- Pulmonary Rehab
- Home Health
A bachelor's degree can help meet the requirements for advanced certifications such as Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) and specialized credentials offered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). Plus, a bachelor's degree provides a solid foundation for pursuing further career paths, including:
- Master's Degree or Doctoral Programs
- Research
- Advanced Practice Respiratory Therapist
- Case Manager
- Teaching
- Administrative/Leadership Roles
- Physician Assistant
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for respiratory therapists was $80,450 in May 2024.
Employment of respiratory therapists is projected to grow 12 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 8,800 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 (2025).
