Information Provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
Respiratory Therapy Technicians
Job opportunities will be very good, especially for therapists with cardiopulmonary care skills or experience working with infants. All States (except Alaska and Hawaii), the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico require respiratory therapists to obtain a license. Hospitals will continue to employ the vast majority of respiratory therapists, but a growing number of therapists will work in other settings.
On average, Respiratory Therapy Technicians earn $ 39,120 per year.
Job Opportunities for Health Care Careers are
expected to:
Increase faster than average.
Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist
Respiratory Therapy Technician/Assistant
Athletic Trainers
Cardiovascular Technologists and T
Respiratory therapists and respiratory therapy techniciansalso known as respiratory care practitionersevaluate, treat, and care for patients with breathing or other cardiopulmonary disorders. Practicing under the direction of a physician, respiratory therapists assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care therapeutic treatments and diagnostic procedures, including the supervision of respiratory therapy technicians. Respiratory therapy technicians follow specific, well-defined respiratory care procedures under the direction of respiratory therapists and physicians.
An associate degree is required to become a respiratory therapist. Training is offered at the postsecondary level by colleges and universities, medical schools, vocational-technical institutes, and the Armed Forces. Most programs award associate or bachelors degree and prepare graduates for jobs as advanced respiratory therapists. A limited number of associate degree programs lead to jobs as entry-level respiratory therapists..
Faster-than-average employment growth is projected for respiratory therapists. Job opportunities should be very good, especially for respiratory therapists with cardiopulmonary care skills or experience working with infants.
