Respiratory care therapists provide oxygen and other therapies to people with illnesses or diseases the affect the lungs or cardiovascular system. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the field of respiratory therapists will grow by 23 percent through 2016, resulting in the creation of 23,000 jobs.
Average Income
In May 2008, respiratory therapists averaged an annual salary of $53,150.
Salary Range
The lowest paid 10 percent of respiratory therapists received salaries around $37,920, while the highest paid 10 percent earned $69,800 in 2008.
Largest Employers
The largest employers of respiratory therapists in May 2008 were general hospitals and specialty hospitals, where therapists earned average salaries of $52,870 and $55,350, respectively.
Highest Paying Employers
In 2008, the highest paying employers of respiratory therapists were junior colleges, medical staffing and employment agencies, and local governments. Therapists working in these fields averaged between $60,110 and $68,770.
Highest Paying Areas
In May 2008, the states with the highest paid respiratory therapists were California at $65,440, New Jersey at $63,910, Nevada at $63,800, Maryland at $62,210, and New York at $61,390.
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