How Much Money Do Respiratory Therapists Make?
Respiratory therapists treat medical conditions involving breathing and cardiopulmonary disorders, under the direction of a doctor. An associate's degree is the minimum educational requirement, although a bachelor's or master's degree is sometimes necessary for advancement. All states mandate a license, with certification requirements defined by the National Board for Respiratory Care.
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Earnings
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Respiratory therapists make a median $25.64 per hour or $53,330 per year, with the bottom 10 percent making $18.77 or $39,030 and the top 10 percent earning $34.58 or $71,920. This is as of May 2009, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Industries
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The highest-paying industries for respiratory therapists are: employment services, with pay at $30.06 per hour or $62,520 per year; local government, at $29.75 or $61,890; and the offices of other health practitioners, at $27.84 or $57,900. However, these industries do not offer the most job opportunities. The ones that do pay less. They include: general hospitals, with pay at $25.94 or $53,950; specialty hospitals not including psychiatric or substance abuse, at $27.06 or $56,290; and nursing care facilities, at $26.91 or $55,980.
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States
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The states with the best-paid respiratory therapists are: California, with earnings at $31.53 per hour or $65,580 per year; New Jersey at $31.51 or $65,540; and Maryland at $31.46 or $65,430. These states do not match the ones with the highest concentrations of respiratory therapists: Delaware, with earnings at $28.51 or $59,300; Mississippi, at $24.08 or $50,090; and Kentucky, at $21.43 or $44,580.
Cities
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The cities where employers pay the most for respiratory therapists include: San Jose, California, with income at $38.69 or $80,480; Bethesda, Maryland, at $35.30 or $73,430; and Santa Rosa, California, at $35.16 or $73,130. However, the cities with the greatest numbers of jobs per capita are: Saginaw, Michigan, with income at $25.60 or $53,240; Kokomo, Indiana, at $24.50 or $50,950; and Cheyenne, Wyoming, at $26.74 or $55,630.
Job Growth
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The BLS predicts jobs for respiratory therapists will grow by 21 percent from 2008 to 2018, which is faster than average for all positions. Demand will come from an increasing elderly population, which shows higher incidence of cardiopulmonary disease. Therapists will be needed not only to treat this condition but to manage cases, prevent disease and provide emergency care. Job prospects will be especially good for those with bachelor's degrees and certification.
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