What it is
Respiratory therapy prepares clinicians to treat patients with breathing and cardiopulmonary disorders — from asthma and COPD to critical care and ventilator management. It's a well-paid allied-health career reachable with an associate degree.
What you'll study
Respiratory therapy is clinical and hands-on:
- Year 1Anatomy, physiology, and cardiopulmonary sciences
- Year 2Respiratory care, pharmacology, and clinical practice
- ClinicalExtensive supervised patient care
- CredentialGraduates earn CRT/RRT credentials to practice
Concentrations & focus areas
- Critical Care / ICUVentilators & intensive care
- Neonatal / PediatricInfants & children
- Pulmonary FunctionTesting
- Emergency / TransportAcute response
- Sleep MedicineSleep disorders
- Home / Long-Term CareCommunity
Skills you'll build
- Clinical respiratory careTreating patients
- Equipment / ventilator managementLife-support
- Emergency responseAcute care
- AssessmentCardiopulmonary evaluation
- Patient careCompassion
Careers & job titles
- Respiratory therapistThe core role (~$80,450)
- Critical-care RTICU
- Neonatal / pediatric RTSpecialized
- Pulmonary function techTesting
- Sleep / transport RTSpecialty
- RT supervisor / managerWith experience
Job outlook & demand
The BLS projects respiratory therapists to grow faster than average, driven by respiratory conditions, an aging population, and critical-care needs. Demand is steady in hospitals and critical care.
Pay: median, range & trajectory
Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, respiratory therapists had a median wage around $80,450 — strong for an associate-degree career. Critical-care and specialized roles, and experience, raise earnings.
Degree levels it's offered at
Offered across these levels — click a level to learn about it:
An associate degree is the standard entry (some pursue a bachelor's), plus CRT/RRT credentials and state licensure.
Is it right for you?
You might thrive here if you want a well-paid clinical career with a shorter path, and are drawn to critical care and hands-on patient work.
Good value: respiratory therapy offers strong pay and demand with a two-year degree, especially in critical care.
Explore further
Keep exploring:
Key facts
- DegreeAssociate (some bachelor's)
- FocusBreathing & cardiopulmonary care
- CredentialCRT/RRT
- OutlookFaster than average (BLS)
- Pay~$80,450 median (BLS)
Where to learn more
Authoritative sources for careers and pay: