Respiratory Therapists 
General Information
Description
Assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders. Assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care modalities, including the supervision of respiratory therapy technicians. Initiate and conduct therapeutic procedures; maintain patient records; and select, assemble, check, and operate equipment.
Explore this career in the MilitaryBusiness Breakdown
People in this career work in these sectors.
- Private, for profit53.72%
- Private, not for profit36.68%
- State and local government5.31%
- Federal government2.81%
- Self-employed1.29%
Workplace at a Glance
What you can expect to experience while on the job
- Responsibility
- Exposure to job hazards
- Physical activity
- Decision making
- Repetitiveness
- Level of competition
- Time pressure
Industry areas
- Health Science
Job Outlook
Similar Careers
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Salary
Salary Information
Median Salary This is the median, or the midpoint, of the salary range for this career.
$70,540
Median Military Salary Military pay may be higher based on specialty pays or bonuses. Learn more about Military benefits.
$68,889
Explore this career in the MilitaryState-by-state Salary
Gray states indicate no data available
Education & Interests
Most Common Education Levels
People in this career achieve this level of education.
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Associate's degree 82%
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Bachelor's degree 11%
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Post-secondary certificate 5%
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High school 0%
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Some college 0%
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Master's degree 0%
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Doctoral degree 0%
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Post baccalaureate 0%
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Less than high school 0%
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Post-doctoral training 0%
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Post-master's certificate 0%
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First professional degree 0%
Related College Majors
Select major to see colleges that offer it
PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS
You may find this career fulfilling if you consider yourself to be:
- Social — You have an interest in helping, teaching, advising, assisting or providing service to others.
- Investigative — You have an interest in studying and researching objects, organisms, and other things.
- Realistic — You have an interest in physically working with equipment, materials or structures.
Not sure what characteristics best describe you? Take the RIASEC Test.
Skills at a Glance
Skills helpful in this career
- Verbal skills
- Critical thinking & problem solving
- Equipment operation & maintenance
- Math & science skills
- Technology design & control
- Leadership
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- Psychology
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Education and Training
- Computers and Electronics
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