Respiratory Therapist

Careers / Respiratory Therapist

🌬️

Care for patients with breathing disorders

📚

Typical Education

Associate

→

💼

Annual Openings

8,500

→

💰

Median Salary

$77,960

10-Year Job Outlook

↑↑ 13%Strong

Projected employment change 2023-2033 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

251

Schools

431

Programs

$41k

Avg Earnings

Regions

Reading the Numbers

Earnings/yr

Median salary 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard)

ROI %

Return on investment: (Earnings − Debt) ÷ Debt. Higher = better payoff.

Debt

Median total student debt at graduation for this program

Net Price

Annual cost after grants/scholarships (avg for all students at school)

How to Get There

Multiple educational paths can lead to a career as a Respiratory Therapist. Explore programs by credential level below.

Certificate156 programs

Anne Arundel Community College

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.

Arnold, MD • Southeast

$119,581/yr

Center for Allied Health Education

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.

Brooklyn, NY • Northeast

$74,657/yr

+469.6% ROI

$13,107 debt

Carrington College-Sacramento

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.

Sacramento, CA • West

$68,261/yr

+241.3% ROI

$20,000 debt

Bunker Hill Community College

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.

Boston, MA • Northeast

$66,980/yr

+672.1% ROI

$8,675 debt

Austin Community College District

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.

Austin, TX • Southwest

$66,380/yr

+589.7% ROI

$9,625 debt

+151 more Certificate programs available

Associate168 programs

Canada College

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.

Redwood City, CA • West

$106,691/yr

American River College

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.

Sacramento, CA • West

$100,258/yr

Bellevue College

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.

Bellevue, WA • Northwest

$79,877/yr

+355.9% ROI

$17,522 debt

Chemeketa Community College

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.

Salem, OR • Northwest

$75,797/yr

+621.9% ROI

$10,500 debt

Bunker Hill Community College

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.

Boston, MA • Northeast

$75,659/yr

+549.5% ROI

$11,648 debt

+163 more Associate programs available

Bachelor's48 programs

Barry University

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.

Miami, FL • Southeast

$144,190/yr

+393% ROI

$29,250 debt

California State University-Northridge

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.

Northridge, CA • West

$100,724/yr

+433.6% ROI

$18,875 debt

AdventHealth University

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.

Orlando, FL • Southeast

$77,225/yr

+182.7% ROI

$27,315 debt

Boise State University

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.

Boise, ID • Northwest

$76,843/yr

+364.3% ROI

$16,551 debt

Anderson University

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.

Anderson, SC • Southeast

$76,438/yr

+511.5% ROI

$12,500 debt

+43 more Bachelor's programs available

Master's53 programs

Case Western Reserve University

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services.

Cleveland, OH • Midwest

$194,912/yr

+4.9% ROI

$185,764 debt

Carlow University

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.

Pittsburgh, PA • Northeast

$144,508/yr

Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.

Los Angeles, CA • West

$140,558/yr

-2.8% ROI

$144,659 debt

Augsburg University

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.

Minneapolis, MN • Midwest

$126,128/yr

+4.1% ROI

$121,214 debt

Bay Path University

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.

Longmeadow, MA • Northeast

$124,713/yr

-22.1% ROI

$160,046 debt

+48 more Master's programs available

Doctoral5 programs

A T Still University of Health Sciences

Communication Disorders Sciences and Services.

Kirksville, MO • Midwest

$92,141/yr

-23.1% ROI

$119,788 debt

Arizona State University Campus Immersion

Communication Disorders Sciences and Services.

Tempe, AZ • Southwest

$86,824/yr

-37% ROI

$137,833 debt

Central Michigan University

Communication Disorders Sciences and Services.

Mount Pleasant, MI • Midwest

$74,265/yr

-30.1% ROI

$106,174 debt

A T Still University of Health Sciences

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.

Kirksville, MO • Midwest

$73,437/yr

+33.8% ROI

$54,881 debt

Ball State University

Communication Disorders Sciences and Services.

Muncie, IN • Midwest

$70,502/yr

Post-doc1 program

Albizu University-San Juan

Communication Disorders Sciences and Services.

San Juan, PR

$27,413/yr

-55.4% ROI

$61,500 debt

Schools by Region

Compare programs across different regions to find the best fit for you.

Midwest81 programs

Avg earnings: $47,931/yr

Case Western Reserve University

Cleveland, OH

$194,912

+4.9%

Augsburg University

Minneapolis, MN

$126,128

+4.1%

Case Western Reserve University

Cleveland, OH

Career outlook data from Bureau of Labor Statistics. Program earnings and ROI from College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education). Earnings represent median income 1 year after graduation. ROI is calculated as (Earnings - Debt) / Debt.