Respiratory Therapist
Helps patients with breathing problems by setting up equipment and easing their condition.
Market pay — 68,410–108,820 USD/yr.
People who want to help in hard moments, understand equipment, and stay calm under pressure.
A day in the life
Assesses patients, adjusts oxygen and inhalers, monitors breathing, works with ventilators, and shows people how to breathe easier.
Who it fits
People who want to help in hard moments, understand equipment, and stay calm under pressure.
Try it in a week
- Watch 2–3 “a day in the life of a Respiratory Therapist” videos to see the real day-to-day, not the job-post version. ↗
- Take a free intro course to find out whether the topic clicks before you spend money or time on it. ↗
- Find someone doing it on LinkedIn or an industry group and ask 5 pointed questions: the daily grind, the money, and how they got in.
- Spend a day observing the work (a nurse or doctor you know, or a volunteer shift), or take a basic first-aid course. ↗
How to get there
- Aug Build your college list and start your essays (summer before senior year)
- Oct FAFSA opens (typically Oct 1) - apply for federal financial aid
- Nov Early Action / Early Decision deadlines (many schools)
- Jan Regular Decision deadlines (often Jan 1-15)
- Mar Admission decisions arrive (mid-March to early April)
- May National College Decision Day - commit and pay your deposit
Approximate pathways. Requirements and test policies vary by state and school - always verify on the college's or program's official site.
Frequently asked
How much does a Respiratory Therapist earn?
68,410–108,820 USD/yr — BLS. This is the middle band of the market: a beginner usually sits closer to the lower end, an experienced specialist closer to the top. A lot also depends on where you are. ~136k jobs in the US (BLS OEWS, May 2024)
How do you become a Respiratory Therapist?
Most often through these fields: Respiratory Care. See specific programs and requirements in the “How to get there” section below.
Who is this profession a good fit for?
People who want to help in hard moments, understand equipment, and stay calm under pressure.