Updated April 15, 2026
Respiratory Therapist
Also known as: Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Respiratory Therapist, Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT), Hospital Respiratory Therapist
Respiratory therapists manage life support equipment and help patients breathe when their lungs fail. You'll run ventilators in ICUs, teach asthma patients proper inhaler technique, and perform emergency intubations alongside doctors.
Getting Started
How to Become a Respiratory Therapist
You can start working as a respiratory therapist in 2.4 years with $15k-$33k in training — that's about average for associate degree-level health care careers.
Associate Degree in Respiratory Care
2 years · $25,000-$38,000
NBRC TMC Examination
1-2 months
NBRC Clinical Simulation Examination (Optional)
1-2 months
State Licensure
1 month
Entry-Level Respiratory Therapist
Ongoing
Specialty Certifications and Advanced Credentials
Ongoing
Start
Year 2
Year 2
Year 2
Associate Degree in Respiratory Care
2 years
NBRC TMC Examination
1-2 months
State Licensure
1 month
Entry-Level Respiratory Therapist
Ongoing
| Step | Duration | Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
Associate Degree in Respiratory Care | 2 years | $25,000-$38,000 | Complete a two-year Associate's degree in Respiratory Care from a CoARC-accredited program, including classroom instruction and extensive integrated clinical rotations in respiratory therapy settings. |
NBRC TMC Examination | 1-2 months | — | Pass the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) Examination to earn the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential, a prerequisite for state licensure. |
NBRC Clinical Simulation Examination (Optional) | 1-2 months | — | Pass the NBRC Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE) in addition to the TMC to earn the advanced Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential, the industry standard for career advancement. |
State Licensure | 1 month | — | Obtain state licensure to practice as a Respiratory Therapist, required in most states after passing NBRC certification examinations. |
Entry-Level Respiratory Therapist | Ongoing | — | Begin professional practice as a licensed Respiratory Therapist, providing respiratory care services including mechanical ventilation, oxygen therapy, and patient assessment in hospitals and healthcare facilities.Starting salary: $77,960/yr |
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Overview
What Does a Respiratory Therapist Do?
Respiratory therapists work primarily in hospitals — ICUs, emergency departments, and medical floors — with some positions in outpatient clinics and home health. Your day splits between direct patient care (ventilator management, breathing treatments) and equipment maintenance, with most time spent on clinical duties rather than paperwork.
- Provide emergency care, such as artificial respiration, external heart massage, or assistance with revival techniques for patients whose heart or breathing has stopped.
- Monitor patient responses to therapy, such as vital signs, blood oxygen levels, or blood chemistry changes, and consult with a physician if negative reactions occur.
- Set up and operate devices, such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic oxygen equipment, environmental control systems, or mist generators, following specified treatment parameters.
- Work as part of a team of physicians, nurses, or other healthcare professionals to manage patient care by assisting with medical procedures or related duties.
- Maintain charts that contain patients' identification and therapy information.
- Read prescriptions, measure blood oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, and review patient information to assess patient condition.
- Relay blood analysis results to a physician.
- Inspect, clean, test, and maintain respiratory therapy equipment to ensure it functions safely and efficiently, ordering repairs when necessary.
Tasks from O*NET OnLine
Requirements
Licensing & Certification
You must have credentials to work as a respiratory therapist — no exceptions. The CRT from NBRC is required in all states, though many employers prefer the additional RRT credential for advancement opportunities.
| Credential | Status | Cost | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|
| CRT | Required | $190 | Every 5 yr |
| RRT | Recommended | $190 | Every 5 yr |
| State License | Required | $50-$300 | 12-24 months |
CRT (National Board for Respiratory Care) — Entry-level credential proving competency in respiratory care; required for state licensure in all 50 states
- Exam: TMC Exam: 160 multiple-choice questions (140 scored), 3 hours. Low-cut score earns CRT.
- Cost: $190 (new applicants), $150 (retake)
- Renewal: Credential Maintenance Program: quarterly assessments and/or up to 30 CE credits per 5-year cycle
RRT (National Board for Respiratory Care) — Advanced credential demonstrating expert-level respiratory care skills; preferred by most employers and required for some roles
- Exam: TMC Exam high-cut score plus CSE: 22 clinical simulation problems (20 scored), 4 hours. Total cost includes both exams.
- Cost: $190 (TMC) + $200 (CSE) = $390 total
- Renewal: Credential Maintenance Program: quarterly assessments and/or up to 30 CE credits per 5-year cycle
State License (State respiratory care licensing board) — Legally required in all 50 states and DC to practice respiratory care; typically requires NBRC credentials
- Exam: Most states accept NBRC TMC exam; some require jurisprudence exam
- Cost: Varies by state ($50-$300)
- Renewal: CE credits (varies by state), active NBRC credential, background check
All 50 states require licensure for respiratory therapists, with most requiring the CRT credential as a minimum. Many employers strongly prefer or require the advanced RRT credential for better job prospects and higher pay. Starting January 1, 2027, NBRC will replace the current CRT/RRT system with a single unified exam.
No interstate compact exists for respiratory therapists. You will need a separate license in each state where you practice.
Compensation
Respiratory Therapist Salary
At $80k median salary, respiratory therapists earn significantly more than EKG technicians ($67k) and nearly match ultrasound technicians ($89k). Pay varies moderately by region, with higher salaries in metropolitan areas and states with critical care shortages.
$80k/yr
median annual salary
You'll spend $15k-$33k and 2.4 years to start earning $80k — that's roughly 5-10 months to pay back your training costs. This cost-to-income ratio beats most associate degree health careers.
Salaries vary by location and setting. Respiratory Therapists in metropolitan areas and specialty practices typically earn more than the national median.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024
HealthJob Analysis
Is It Worth It? 20-Year ROI
Earning $1.339 million in 20-year net earnings and a 3-year break-even point, respiratory therapy delivers excellent ROI. The strong return comes from relatively low training costs ($32k) combined with solid starting salaries ($80k) that grow steadily. This ranks among the top associate degree health careers for financial return.
Respiratory Therapist ROI
Net earnings over 20 years
$1.3M
Pre-tax 20-year estimate after required education and training costs; taxes and living expenses excluded.
How the 20-year estimate is calculated
Respiratory Therapist Career ROI (20-year net earnings)
Track how education costs and earnings typically accumulate from enrollment through year 20.
Cumulative net earnings (USD)
The full chart keeps 20-year context. The detail chart below zooms in on early pathway years.
Sources: BLS, BLSSee Sources and methods.
Early-years detail
Years 0-8
Years 0-8. Scaled to early-year values. Black markers show key checkpoints.
Quick answers
- Is becoming a Respiratory Therapist financially worth it?Typical 20-year net estimate: $1.3M (pre-tax, living expenses excluded).
- How much does training cost for a Respiratory Therapist?Estimated required education and licensing cost to become a Respiratory Therapist: $32k (range used: $25k-$38k). Breakdown: Associate Degree in Respiratory Care: $32k.
- How long does it take to become a Respiratory Therapist?Typical time to first paycheck is about 2.4 years. Typical time to enter the target Respiratory Therapist role is about 2.4 years.
- How do you become a Respiratory Therapist?See How to Become for pathway steps, timing, and credential requirements.
Detailed math
How 20-year net is built from each training and career phase.
| Phase | Time window | Gross earnings | Education/training cost | Net contribution | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Associate Degree in Respiratory Care Education | Years 0-1 (m0-m23) | $0 | -$31,500 | -$31,500 | |
NBRC TMC Examination Training/Licensing | Year 2 (m24-m25) | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
State Licensure Training/Licensing | Year 2 (m29-m29) | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
Entry-Level Respiratory Therapist Career | Years 2-19 (m29-m239) | $1,370,867 | $0 | $1,370,867 | |
Model reconciliation Reconciliation | Years 0-20 (m0-m239) | -$70 | $0 | -$70 | None |
| 20-year totals | $1,370,797 | -$31,500 | $1,339,297 | Matches 20-year ROI formula | |
Sources and methods
Sources
Assumptions
- Pathway sequence and timing follow the cited training and licensing pathway for this role.BLSBLS
- Earnings benchmarks come from cited occupation wage references.BLSBLS
- Education and training cost uses College Scorecard tuition and cited pathway fees when needed.Source unavailable
- Cost allocation follows a model rule: short completed steps post in completion year; longer tuition steps are spread across phase years.Model ruleBLSBLS
- Taxes and living expenses are excluded from this estimate.Model rule
Respiratory therapy outperforms most associate degree health careers by ROI, beating dental hygienists and radiologic technologists. Only specialized imaging careers like ultrasound technology match its financial returns.
Future-Proofing
Respiratory Therapist Job Outlook (2024–2034)
Demand grows 8.4% through 2032 because aging baby boomers develop more respiratory conditions like COPD and sleep apnea. Hospital expansion and advances in respiratory care for premature infants also drive hiring.
10-Year Growth
8.4%
Much faster than average
Current Employment
136,420
jobs nationwide
HealthJob Analysis
Will AI Replace Respiratory Therapist?
AI has minimal impact on respiratory therapy's core functions — ventilator management, airway assessment, and patient education require human clinical judgment. While ventilators now include AI-assisted modes for weaning and pressure optimization, respiratory therapists still make all critical decisions about settings, timing, and patient safety. No AI systems can perform hands-on procedures like intubation, chest physiotherapy, or emergency response.
Ventilator AI modes assist but the RT makes all clinical decisions on settings, weaning, and airway management.
AARC: AI and Respiratory Care Position Statement · BLS: Respiratory Therapists +13% (2023-2033)
Based on evidence-based AI impact methodology
Explore
Careers Similar to Respiratory Therapist
These careers require similar associate degree training and work in overlapping health care settings, making them natural alternatives if respiratory therapy programs are full or if you prefer different types of patient interaction.
| Occupation | Median Salary | Training Time |
|---|---|---|
| EKG/ECG Technician | $67k/yr | 4 mo |
| Ultrasound Technician | $89k/yr | 2.3 yr |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $89k/yr | 2.3 yr |
Learn More
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Sources & Data
These references are used to build salary, training-path, and job-outlook estimates shown on this page.
- •Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook
- •O*NET OnLine
- •NBRC
- •NBRC
- •NBRC
- •HealthJob AI Impact Analysis
- •BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook - Respiratory Therapists
Data last refreshed: April 2026