Respiratory Therapist

A Respiratory Therapist treats patients with breathing difficulties by administering oxygen, managing ventilators, and performing chest physiotherapy in hospitals, emergency rooms, and home care settings. Respiratory therapists assess, treat, and educate patients with various cardiopulmonary disorders, working closely with physicians and other healthcare professionals. Improves the quality of life for patients with acute and chronic breathing problems, often providing life-sustaining care and crucial education for managing respiratory conditions.

A Respiratory Therapist earns a median of $75,000 per year in the US, typically ranging from $60,000 to $95,000.

To become a Respiratory Therapist, associate's or Bachelor's degree in Respiratory Care or Respiratory Therapy is typically required. State licensure as a Respiratory Therapist.

Respiratory Therapist roles tend to suit people who are highly conscientious — precise, organised and strong on follow-through (Conscientiousness 82/100) and warm and cooperative — tuned in to the people around them (Agreeableness 75/100). The traits that matter most in the role are Conscientious, Empathetic, Calm under pressure and Inquisitive. Meticulous attention to detail and adherence to safety protocols are crucial for patient well-being. On interests, Respiratory Therapist maps to a RSI Holland Code profile — people who enjoy hands-on work with medical equipment, investigating patient conditions, and providing direct care and education to others often thrive as Respiratory Therapists.

A Respiratory Therapist role is usually a strong fit for these reasons. The role requires strong Realistic interests for hands-on work with complex medical equipment and procedures. High Social interaction is central to patient care, education, and collaboration with the healthcare team. Investigative skills are crucial for assessing patient conditions, interpreting data, and troubleshooting respiratory issues.

Respiratory Therapist roles come with trade-offs worth weighing up. The fast-paced clinical environment and critical situations can be demanding and require resilience. Regular weekend and holiday work is common due to the 24/7 nature of healthcare.

Work as a Respiratory Therapist is mostly clinical-based with onsite arrangements common, semi-structured — a mix of set processes and self-directed work and high exposure to clients or stakeholders. Around 60% of the week is focused deep work.

Core skills for a Respiratory Therapist include Patient assessment, Ventilator management, Airway management, Respiratory pharmacology, Emergency response and Patient education.

Common entry routes into Respiratory Therapist roles include Respiratory Therapy Student and Certified Respiratory Therapist.

From a Respiratory Therapist role, common next steps include Lead Respiratory Therapist, Respiratory Therapy Educator and Physician Assistant (with further education); lateral moves include Cardiopulmonary Technologist.

The outlook for Respiratory Therapist roles is currently rated growing. Job growth is expected to be above average over the next five years.

Traitstack rates automation risk for Respiratory Therapist roles at 36 out of 100, which is low. Critical patient interventions and emergency responses are firmly human; AI's role will be in enhancing monitoring and administrative support. AI is most likely to take on real-time monitoring of vital signs and ventilator settings for anomalies, predictive analytics for early detection of respiratory distress and automated charting and documentation of routine treatments. Performing chest physiotherapy and airway management procedures, making critical adjustments to ventilators in response to patient changes and responding to medical emergencies and providing immediate life support stay with people. The paperwork shrinks. The critical bedside interventions do not. That score measures how much of the work could change, not the likelihood the job disappears. It is Traitstack's current view, revisited as AI capability moves.