Respiratory Therapy Provider Training and Jobs
Schools and Degrees
An associate’s degree is the minimum requirement in order to become a respiratory therapy provider. A bachelor’s or a master’s degree is essential for progress and this prepares one to become an advanced respiratory therapists. Medical schools, colleges, universities and the armed forces provide training to become respiratory therapy providers. In the U.S. there are about 334 advanced programs on the subject and 45 entry level programs, according to the data of Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
Training and Education
You'll generally want an associate degree for this career path. Of current respiratory therapy providers, 28% graduated from college with degrees. Some 71% of workers attened college but did not go on to get a bachelor's degree. A high school education was sufficient for 1% of employees.
Job Overview
Respiratory therapy providers assess and treat patients for cardio-pulmonary disorders and respiratory troubles. They work under the direction of physicians and take care of all the therapeutic management and diagnostic procedures of the patient.
Job Requirements
Licensure is necessary for a respiratory therapy provider as most employers ask for a cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification. Licensure is dependent on the specifications of certification by the National Board for Respiratory Care.
The NBRC gives the credential of Certified Respiratory Therapist to those who graduate from entry level and advanced programs accredited by CAAHEP. Those CRT’s who graduate from advanced programs and also pass two different examinations are awarded the accreditation of Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).
Respiratory therapy providers need to pay attention to small details and follow direction well. They need to be responsive to the physical and psychological needs of the patients. Dexterity with machines used in the profession is important for respiratory therapy providers.
Nature of Work
Respiratory therapy providers confer with physicians and health care staff and make plans for patient care. They assess and treat patients ranging from infants to the elderly. They provide care to heart attack and stroke patients and also treat those with chronic asthma problems. They conduct physical and diagnostic examinations of patients and administer the use of oxygen, aerosol and ventilators when required.
Respiratory therapy providers work for about forty hours a week. However, as their work is largely done in hospitals they may have to work in the evenings and also during the weekends. While managing an emergency case they work under stress. As they treat respiratory disorders they are exposed to many infections and need to be careful. They also need to be vigilant while working with different gases stored under pressure.
Area Job Conditions
Finding respiratory therapy providers is easiest in Kokomo (Indiana), Cumberland (Maryland), and Lima (Ohio), and by comparison more challenging in Raleigh (North Carolina), Fayetteville (Arkansas), and Fargo (North Dakota).
The pay is best in Salinas (California), San Jose (California), and Bethesda (Maryland) and worst in Dalton (Georgia), Joplin (Missouri), and Jackson (Tennessee).
Part-Time and Self Employment
Respiratory therapy providers working part-time accounted for 15% of those employed in 2008. Self-employed workers represent an estimated 1% of the total.
Respiratory Therapy Providers by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)
In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.
Alabama
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anniston | $47,000 | 40 | +29% |
| Auburn | $47,000 | 50 | +67% |
| Birmingham | $47,000 | 550 | +43% |
| Dothan | $52,000 | 130 | +221% |
| Mobile | $45,000 | 230 | +74% |
| Montgomery | $48,000 | 150 | +22% |
Alaska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | $64,000 | 120 | -5% |
Arizona
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kingman | $54,000 | 100 | +211% |
| Phoenix | $50,000 | 1,470 | +6% |
| Tucson | $49,000 | 450 | +70% |
| Yuma | $49,000 | 40 | +4% |
Arkansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | $48,000 | 110 | -29% |
| Fort Smith | $45,000 | 100 | +10% |
| Hot Springs | $49,000 | 60 | +151% |
| Jonesboro | $45,000 | 60 | +89% |
| Little Rock | $51,000 | 310 | +16% |
California
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield | $68,000 | 200 | +0% |
| Chico | $64,000 | 100 | +104% |
| Fresno | $66,000 | 260 | +6% |
| Hanford | $66,000 | 30 | +34% |
| Los Angeles | $66,000 | 3,690 | +16% |
| Modesto | $67,000 | 210 | +81% |
| Oakland | $72,000 | 720 | -8% |
| Redding | $69,000 | 70 | +68% |
| Riverside | $62,000 | 1,320 | +40% |
| Sacramento | $74,000 | 660 | -3% |
| Salinas | $89,000 | 80 | -33% |
| San Diego | $63,000 | 940 | -9% |
| San Francisco | $74,000 | 810 | +4% |
| San Jose | $81,000 | 670 | -5% |
| Santa Ana | $68,000 | 1,230 | +8% |
| Santa Barbara | $70,000 | 120 | -5% |
| Santa Rosa | $74,000 | 150 | +15% |
| Stockton | $66,000 | 240 | +51% |
| Vallejo | $69,000 | 40 | -55% |
Colorado
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder | $55,000 | 110 | -4% |
| Colorado Springs | $55,000 | 170 | -12% |
| Denver | $55,000 | 920 | -6% |
| Fort Collins | $56,000 | 80 | -14% |
| Grand Junction | $56,000 | 50 | +27% |
Connecticut
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | $64,000 | 240 | -27% |
| Danbury | $64,000 | 60 | +25% |
| Hartford | $61,000 | 440 | -2% |
| New Haven | $70,000 | 240 | +15% |
| Norwich | 70 | -23% | |
| Waterbury | $71,000 | 100 | +109% |
Delaware
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | $60,000 | 310 | +23% |
District of Columbia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $63,000 | 1,020 | -47% |
Florida
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deltona | $51,000 | 160 | +39% |
| Fort Lauderdale | $55,000 | 630 | +15% |
| Fort Walton Beach | $45,000 | 40 | -26% |
| Gainesville | $47,000 | 210 | +134% |
| Jacksonville | $51,000 | 500 | +7% |
| Lakeland | $49,000 | 170 | +19% |
| Miami | $52,000 | 960 | +25% |
| Naples | $55,000 | 90 | +10% |
| Orlando | $50,000 | 730 | -8% |
| Palm Bay | $53,000 | 180 | +20% |
| Panama City | $46,000 | 100 | +106% |
| Pensacola | $47,000 | 180 | +62% |
| Port St Lucie | $51,000 | 90 | +3% |
| Punta Gorda | $50,000 | 70 | +168% |
| Sarasota | $51,000 | 230 | +22% |
| Sebastian | $57,000 | 40 | +24% |
| Tallahassee | $51,000 | 100 | -17% |
| Tampa | $49,000 | 920 | +2% |
| West Palm Beach | $54,000 | 430 | +6% |
Georgia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athens | $52,000 | 100 | +99% |
| Atlanta | $53,000 | 1,890 | +4% |
| Augusta | $51,000 | 320 | +105% |
| Columbus | $52,000 | 120 | +48% |
| Rome | $52,000 | 70 | +203% |
Hawaii
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $63,000 | 380 | +11% |
Idaho
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise | $52,000 | 230 | +15% |
Illinois
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $55,000 | 2,850 | -4% |
| Kankakee | $47,000 | 40 | +45% |
| Peoria | $46,000 | 240 | +87% |
| Rockford | $58,000 | 120 | +15% |
| Springfield | $47,000 | 100 | +27% |
Indiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington | $53,000 | 80 | +62% |
| Evansville | $50,000 | 200 | +55% |
| Fort Wayne | $51,000 | 220 | +42% |
| Gary | $53,000 | 370 | +79% |
| Indianapolis | $53,000 | 1,140 | +62% |
| Kokomo | $53,000 | 70 | +170% |
| Michigan City | $51,000 | 40 | +45% |
| South Bend | $51,000 | 110 | +15% |
Iowa
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | $48,000 | 90 | -13% |
| Davenport | $46,000 | 90 | -36% |
| Des Moines | $47,000 | 180 | -29% |
| Waterloo | $45,000 | 70 | +13% |
Kansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topeka | $45,000 | 120 | +48% |
| Wichita | $51,000 | 270 | +22% |
Kentucky
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green | $45,000 | 100 | +159% |
| Lexington | $46,000 | 300 | +63% |
| Louisville | $47,000 | 810 | +71% |
| Owensboro | $46,000 | 50 | +55% |
Louisiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | $50,000 | 90 | +100% |
| Baton Rouge | $50,000 | 260 | -10% |
| Houma | $44,000 | 50 | -27% |
| Lafayette | $51,000 | 140 | +31% |
| Lake Charles | $48,000 | 120 | +89% |
| Monroe | $55,000 | 70 | +28% |
| New Orleans | $49,000 | 600 | +45% |
| Shreveport | $48,000 | 250 | +84% |
Maryland
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | $66,000 | 890 | -14% |
| Bethesda | $73,000 | 300 | -34% |
| Cumberland | $47,000 | 80 | +227% |
| Hagerstown | $55,000 | 50 | -29% |
Massachusetts
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town | $67,000 | 50 | -31% |
| Boston | $67,000 | 1,030 | -25% |
| Framingham | $61,000 | 90 | -27% |
| Haverhill | $59,000 | 110 | +87% |
| Leominster | $67,000 | 70 | +107% |
| New Bedford | 70 | +54% | |
| Peabody | $62,000 | 50 | -33% |
| Springfield | $60,000 | 200 | -13% |
| Worcester | $66,000 | 220 | +14% |
Michigan
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit | $51,000 | 800 | +53% |
| Flint | $51,000 | 170 | +76% |
| Grand Rapids | $50,000 | 380 | +30% |
| Jackson | $52,000 | 60 | +80% |
| Kalamazoo | $53,000 | 150 | +49% |
| Saginaw | $54,000 | 250 | +325% |
| Warren | $53,000 | 760 | -10% |
Minnesota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth | $57,000 | 130 | +35% |
| Minneapolis | $60,000 | 1,010 | -28% |
| Rochester | $66,000 | 220 | +194% |
Mississippi
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport | $44,000 | 180 | +129% |
| Hattiesburg | $44,000 | 100 | +151% |
| Jackson | $59,000 | 390 | +101% |
Missouri
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Girardeau | $46,000 | 110 | +265% |
| Columbia | $51,000 | 160 | +179% |
| Joplin | $47,000 | 110 | +95% |
| Kansas City | $48,000 | 970 | +22% |
| St Louis | $50,000 | 1,280 | +22% |
Montana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | $62,000 | 70 | +16% |
| Missoula | $48,000 | 50 | +39% |
Nebraska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | $51,000 | 230 | +91% |
| Omaha | $51,000 | 420 | +15% |
Nevada
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas | $68,000 | 400 | -40% |
| Reno | $64,000 | 150 | +4% |
New Hampshire
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashua | $54,000 | 80 | -22% |
New Jersey
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City | $68,000 | 110 | +2% |
| Camden | $65,000 | 300 | -27% |
| Edison | $67,000 | 620 | -23% |
| Newark | $65,000 | 620 | -21% |
| Trenton | $68,000 | 90 | -48% |
| Vineland | $61,000 | 60 | +43% |
New Mexico
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $53,000 | 120 | -60% |
| Las Cruces | $48,000 | 50 | +11% |
New York
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $55,000 | 270 | -23% |
| Binghamton | $58,000 | 60 | -28% |
| Buffalo | $53,000 | 380 | -12% |
| Nassau | $67,000 | 1,020 | +2% |
| New York | $68,000 | 3,340 | -19% |
| Poughkeepsie | $72,000 | 180 | -5% |
| Rochester | $53,000 | 290 | -27% |
| Syracuse | $53,000 | 250 | +3% |
| Utica | $49,000 | 130 | +41% |
North Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville | $49,000 | 200 | +50% |
| Charlotte | $52,000 | 590 | -12% |
| Durham | $53,000 | 330 | +55% |
| Greensboro | $53,000 | 250 | -9% |
| Hickory | $51,000 | 120 | +9% |
| Raleigh | $51,000 | 210 | -48% |
North Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo | $47,000 | 50 | -45% |
Ohio
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | $48,000 | 360 | +45% |
| Canton | $50,000 | 180 | +43% |
| Cincinnati | $53,000 | 740 | -7% |
| Cleveland | $52,000 | 1,250 | +55% |
| Columbus | $51,000 | 750 | +4% |
| Dayton | $51,000 | 490 | +65% |
| Springfield | $50,000 | 60 | +83% |
| Steubenville | $50,000 | 90 | +223% |
| Toledo | $52,000 | 420 | +85% |
| Youngstown | $52,000 | 250 | +45% |
Oklahoma
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | $48,000 | 480 | +6% |
| Tulsa | $49,000 | 370 | +11% |
Oregon
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland | $61,000 | 600 | -25% |
Pennsylvania
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown | $59,000 | 260 | -3% |
| Erie | $53,000 | 120 | +26% |
| Harrisburg | $57,000 | 240 | -3% |
| Johnstown | $49,000 | 80 | +105% |
| Lancaster | $55,000 | 130 | -28% |
| Philadelphia | $60,000 | 1,820 | +21% |
| Pittsburgh | $50,000 | 1,160 | +29% |
| Reading | $49,000 | 100 | -20% |
| Scranton | $54,000 | 170 | -15% |
| York | $54,000 | 90 | -32% |
Rhode Island
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | 410 | -6% |
South Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $58,000 | 470 | +112% |
| Columbia | $49,000 | 310 | +14% |
| Florence | $51,000 | 60 | +6% |
| Greenville | $49,000 | 270 | +17% |
South Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | $46,000 | 170 | +64% |
Tennessee
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | $51,000 | 310 | +78% |
| Clarksville | $44,000 | 70 | +25% |
| Jackson | $36,000 | 120 | +193% |
| Kingsport | $45,000 | 180 | +101% |
| Knoxville | $45,000 | 400 | +55% |
| Memphis | $48,000 | 740 | +53% |
| Morristown | $38,000 | 40 | +29% |
| Nashville | $50,000 | 690 | +19% |
Texas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene | $46,000 | 110 | +148% |
| Amarillo | $52,000 | 160 | +105% |
| Austin | $55,000 | 640 | +4% |
| Beaumont | $47,000 | 170 | +40% |
| Brownsville | $52,000 | 170 | +76% |
| College Station | $52,000 | 50 | -25% |
| Corpus Christi | $51,000 | 160 | +19% |
| Dallas | $54,000 | 2,010 | +22% |
| El Paso | $51,000 | 280 | +34% |
| Fort Worth | $53,000 | 880 | +30% |
| Houston | $55,000 | 2,150 | +4% |
| Killeen | $46,000 | 180 | +89% |
| Longview | $52,000 | 60 | -14% |
| Lubbock | $44,000 | 240 | +157% |
| Mcallen | $59,000 | 330 | +88% |
| San Angelo | $49,000 | 40 | +43% |
| San Antonio | $50,000 | 880 | +28% |
| Sherman | $48,000 | 50 | +80% |
| Texarkana | $47,000 | 80 | +113% |
| Tyler | $47,000 | 150 | +130% |
| Victoria | $51,000 | 100 | +206% |
| Waco | $49,000 | 80 | +10% |
Utah
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ogden | $54,000 | 190 | +26% |
| Provo | $54,000 | 130 | +1% |
| Salt Lake City | $56,000 | 360 | -24% |
Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg | $47,000 | 50 | +17% |
| Charlottesville | $54,000 | 90 | +44% |
| Lynchburg | $45,000 | 90 | +25% |
| Richmond | $55,000 | 380 | -21% |
| Virginia Beach | $55,000 | 500 | -16% |
| Winchester | 70 | +105% |
Washington
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle | $65,000 | 680 | -38% |
| Spokane | $56,000 | 190 | +22% |
| Tacoma | $59,000 | 220 | +8% |
| Yakima | $58,000 | 50 | -17% |
West Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $43,000 | 170 | +56% |
| Huntington | $47,000 | 210 | +151% |
| Morgantown | $48,000 | 130 | +254% |
| Parkersburg | $46,000 | 70 | +45% |
Wisconsin
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eau Claire | $48,000 | 80 | +52% |
| Green Bay | $52,000 | 140 | +10% |
| La Crosse | $54,000 | 80 | +57% |
| Madison | $56,000 | 280 | +7% |
| Milwaukee | $58,000 | 700 | +7% |
| Oshkosh | $53,000 | 50 | -21% |
| Racine | $56,000 | 70 | +32% |
Wyoming
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casper | $55,000 | 60 | +149% |
| Cheyenne | $55,000 | 70 | +145% |