2025 Respiratory Therapist Salary and Job Outlook

Respiratory therapists have long made a vital impact in the lives of patients struggling to breathe across the United States, but the COVID-19 pandemic thrust these essential clinicians into the spotlight like never before. Now, over five years since the start of the global pandemic, respiratory therapists continue to play a critical role in caring for patients of all ages who have pulmonary issues. But as the healthcare industry continues to evolve, what will opportunities for respiratory therapists look like as we move into the future? In this blog, we’re diving deep into the latest respiratory therapist salary and job outlook figures and taking a look at how travel respiratory therapist jobs are still an important piece of the country’s healthcare puzzle.

What does a respiratory therapist do?

Put simply, respiratory therapists provide medical care to patients of all ages who have difficulty breathing. These allied health clinicians work under physician supervision and typically:

Help diagnose pulmonary disorders
Evaluate patients by performing tests
Work with supervising physicians to implement therapy and treatment plans
Manage equipment like ventilators
Educate patients and their families about pulmonary disease and breathing disorders

Essentially, if a patient must be placed on a ventilator or needs oxygen, respiratory therapists are there to ensure the process goes as smoothly as it possibly can. These critical clinicians can also be administering drugs to a patient’s lungs, if the supervising physician deems it necessary.

About 75% of respiratory therapists are employed by hospitals according to the Mayo Clinic, however, many of these allied health clinicians can be found working in other clinical environments such as nursing homes and home health agencies.

How much does a respiratory therapist make?

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median respiratory therapist salary was $77,960 per year in 2023. The lowest 10 percent of earners made less than $59,180, while the highest 10 percent made more than $104,480, demonstrating that pay for these crucial allied health clinicians can vary.

Respiratory therapists who worked in hospitals made the most, taking in a median annual wage of $78,300 according to the BLS, while those who worked in nursing care facilities made a median salary of $73,390 per year.

Keep in mind—these respiratory therapist salary figures are generalized and include those who work permanent positions. Travel respiratory therapists often make more than their permanent counterparts due to demand and negotiation advantages—more on that later.

Respiratory Therapist Jobs: A Future Outlook

The BLS estimates that as of 2023, there were a total 133,900 respiratory therapist jobs in the U.S. However, employment for respiratory therapists is projected to grow 13% between 2023 and 2033—a rate that’s much faster than the average for all occupations. In fact, the BLS estimates about 8,200 respiratory therapist job openings each year, on average, between 2023 and 2033.

There’s clear evidence that the demand for respiratory therapists is growing, but why? One reason is an aging population—as the Baby Boomer generation continues into old age, occurrences of respiratory conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) increases, thereby increasing demand for specialists who can help. What’s more, respiratory therapists themselves are aging, meaning many are retiring, so new respiratory therapist jobs will open as this continues.

How to Become a Respiratory Therapist

Looking to enter the healthcare industry and see respiratory therapy as a solid career path? Here’s how to become a respiratory therapist:

Complete Your Education
1. Earn an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in respiratory therapy/respiratory care from an accredited program. Keep in mind that while an associate’s degree is oftentimes all you need to become a respiratory therapist, in recent years, employers have been prioritizing those with bachelor’s degrees due to their more comprehensive education.
Gain Your Credentials
1. Become a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) by taking and passing a voluntary, nationally-recognized multiple choice exam.
2. After you’ve become a CRT, you can choose to become a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) by passing a national, voluntary clinical simulation examination.
Earn State Licensure
1. Once you’ve completed your education and credentialing, you can apply for state licensure to practice in the U.S., unless you plan on working in Alaska, where there is no mandatory state licensure.
Complete Continuing Education
1. After you’ve become a licensed respiratory therapist, you’ll need to complete continuing education units (CEUs) to maintain licensure.

Why become a travel respiratory therapist?

Demand for respiratory therapists is high, but you don’t need to become a permanent clinician at a hospital or clinic to make an impact. In fact, by becoming a travel respiratory therapist, you can take advantage of growing opportunities across the country while enjoying unique benefits:

Diverse experience: Work in various healthcare settings and geographic locations, expanding your skill set and professional network.
Higher earning potential: Travel positions offer competitive pay rates and additional benefits like housing and travel assistance.
Flexibility: Choose assignments that fit your lifestyle and preferences, allowing for a better work-life balance.
Career growth: Exposure to different healthcare systems and technologies can accelerate your professional development.
Adventure and exploration: Combine your passion for healthcare with the opportunity to explore new cities and regions.
Fill critical needs: Help address staffing shortages in underserved areas or during peak demand periods.
Avoid burnout: Regular changes in work environments can help maintain enthusiasm and prevent monotony.
Cultural competence: Gain valuable experience working with diverse patient populations and healthcare teams.
Networking opportunities: Build relationships with healthcare professionals across the country, potentially opening doors for future career advancements.
Personal growth: Develop adaptability, independence, and problem-solving skills as you navigate new work environments.

By choosing to become a travel respiratory therapist, you can enjoy a dynamic career that offers both professional fulfillment and personal enrichment, all while meeting the growing demand for skilled respiratory care professionals nationwide.

Find Travel Respiratory Therapist Jobs with BHS

Want to make the jump into a growing travel respiratory therapy career? We’ve got you covered. Check out our open travel respiratory therapist jobs and apply today!