Is A Respiratory Therapist’s Salary Enough?
Posted by GuestPoster in Schooling
With air pollution continuously rising and global warming currently happening, bronchitis, asthma and other breathing disorders are still widely affecting a lot of people. As long as people are affected with breathing disorders, respiratory therapists will always be needed. Just how much is a respiratory therapist’s salary? Find out below.
The Earnings of a Respiratory Therapist
Respiratory therapists earn different salaries depending on where they work. In 2009, these were the figures gathered: On average, the hourly salary of the therapists in the US was $26.06. This is also based on the location.
Private respiratory therapists earn between $19.77 to $26.60 per hour. Those who work in hospitals earn between $19.93 to $26.84. This depends on the schedule they are assigned and how hectic it is.
Responsibilities of a Respiratory Therapist
The patients of a respiratory therapist will be those suffering from chronic breathing disorders or related illnesses. Patients may include that that have history of bronchial or pulmonary ailments and those that have sustained breathing difficulties due to injuries.
A respiratory therapist is neither a doctor nor a physician. They perform tests and diagnose under the supervision of a professional MD.
What kind of Education is needed to become a Respiratory Therapist?
To those planning to pursue a career as a respiratory therapist, it’s important to achieve even just an associate’s degree. However, some hospitals prefer those who have obtained a master’s or bachelor’s degree. These are more in demand and of course the respiratory therapist’s salary is bigger if a higher degree is achieved.
Various schools all over the country offer this degree. Some offer short courses while other universities and colleges offer an MA and BA. In order to practice their degree, respiratory therapists need to get their license by passing the National Board for Respiratory Care.


