Respiratory Therapist (RT)

Respiratory therapists care for patients who have trouble breathing, from premature infants to older adults.
U.S. median pay
$39.56/hr
$82,280/yr
Projected growth
+8.5%
2025–35
Openings per year
8,600
average, 2025–35
Typical education
Associate's degree

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025; BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.

How people get started

Typically at least an associate's degree in respiratory therapy from an accredited program. BLS: How to become one

Licensing in one line

Every state except Alaska requires a license, and Alaska passed a respiratory care licensing law in 2026 (Chapter 28, SLA 26).

Therapy and rehabilitation careers

  1. Respiratory TherapistAssociate's degree or higher
  2. Occupational TherapistMaster's degree, 2–3 years
  3. Speech-Language PathologistMaster's degree, about 2 years
  4. Physical TherapistDPT, typically 3 years

Pay

What respiratory therapists earn

Pay in every state

U.S. median hourly pay · BLS May 2025

$39.56

an hour · $82,280 a year

10th
$30.61
25th
$35.83
Median
$39.56
75th
$47.47
90th
$56.75

Hourly pay range: 10th percentile $30.61/hr, median $39.56/hr, 90th percentile $56.75/hr.

Schools

Programs that lead here

All schools content
Respiratory therapy programsAssociate degree or higher.Accreditation: CoARC

Licensing

Licensing and verification

Find your state's board

Every state except Alaska requires a license, and Alaska passed a respiratory care licensing law in 2026 (Chapter 28, SLA 26).

“Respiratory therapists are required to be licensed in all states except Alaska, where national certification is recommended.” BLS

Exam: CRT and RRT credentials

California

Full California guide: boards, lookups and key requirements. California RT licensing

Clinical rotations

For students

Your first clinical rotationThe checklist, from documents to day one.Licensing examsWhich exam you'll take after graduating.From student to first shiftBoard application to first paid shift.

Working with SHIFTit

SHIFTit connects healthcare facilities with SHIFTerz directly. See which roles and places SHIFTit works with today.

See how it works

Related careers and comparisons

Registered NursePhysical TherapistOccupational Therapist

Sources

Checked against these sources on Oct 1, 2026.