Healthcare systems across the U.S. face high demand for respiratory care with the increased prevalence of chronic disease and an aging population. Hospitals, outpatient clinics and home healthcare agencies rely on respiratory therapists to manage complex cardiopulmonary conditions and provide ongoing monitoring and advanced intervention.
Employment projections for respiratory therapists reflect this need, showing consistently high growth compared to many other occupations. With an online Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care from Northern Kentucky University, respiratory therapists can position themselves for long-term career growth in a high-demand, high-reward healthcare field.
What Does the Job Outlook for Respiratory Therapists Look Like?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment for respiratory therapists to grow faster than the average for all occupations during the current decade, about 12% through 2034. That translates to an average of 8,800 job openings each year for respiratory therapists, driven by both new positions and replacement needs as experienced clinicians retire.
Respiratory therapists earn a median annual wage of $80,450, with higher earnings reported in certain states and metropolitan areas, according to BLS. Compensation varies by setting, geographic region, level of education and credential status. Therapists who hold advanced credentials or work in high-demand regions or industries often earn above the national median.
Why Is Demand for Respiratory Therapists Growing?
Several demographic and industry shifts in the U.S. have contributed to significant demand for respiratory therapists. The increase in the number of older adults, those aged 65 and older, represents a growing strain on the healthcare system and greater demand for respiratory therapists.
This group experiences higher rates of chronic respiratory conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia and asthma. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that nearly 16 million Americans are currently diagnosed with COPD, which is incurable and requires long-term respiratory treatment and management, and many more people are likely undiagnosed and unaware that they have COPD.
In addition, many patients who experienced severe COVID-19 infections continue to manage lingering pulmonary complications and require extended monitoring, oxygen therapy and rehabilitation services. Additionally, air pollution and tobacco use continue to affect respiratory health in many communities. Many healthcare initiatives also emphasize reducing hospital readmissions and increasing outpatient opportunities, creating demand across outpatient respiratory services and transitional care programs.
Many respiratory therapists who entered the field several decades ago are also approaching retirement age, and this wave of retirements further increases demand. Each of these factors indicates the need for respiratory therapists who can provide diagnostic and management services, yet surveys from the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) show that 87% of respiratory therapists feel there is a shortage of respiratory therapists.
Where Do Respiratory Therapists Find the Most Opportunities?
Respiratory therapists work in a range of settings, though about 80% work in general medical and surgical hospitals, according to BLS. Within hospitals, respiratory therapists may work in emergency rooms, critical care units and neonatal intensive care units, where they perform clinical tasks such as managing ventilators and assisting with critical care procedures in collaboration with physicians and other healthcare professionals. Respiratory therapists also work outside of acute care facilities, managing chronic conditions in settings such as in nursing facilities, physicians’ offices and home healthcare agencies.
Employment for respiratory therapists tends to concentrate in certain states with high healthcare demand overall, including California, Texas, Florida, New York and Ohio, per BLS. Los Angeles, Houston, New York City and Chicago have the highest employment rates and often have among the highest average salaries, which correlates with a higher cost of living. Some regions, such as California, Hawaii and the District of Columbia, report annual average wages exceeding $120,000.
What Specializations Offer Career Growth for Respiratory Therapists?
Respiratory therapy offers multiple specialization pathways with greater clinical scope and earning potential. As therapists gain experience and education, they may pursue specific practice areas, such as:
- Neonatal and pediatric respiratory care: Managing premature infants and children with complex pulmonary conditions.
- Adult critical care: Managing advanced life-support systems and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to care for high-acuity patients in intensive care units.
- Sleep disorder testing and management: Conducting polysomnography studies and implementing continuous positive airway pressure therapy for sleep apnea patients.
- Home health and telehealth respiratory services: Monitoring patients remotely, coordinating oxygen therapy and educating individuals with chronic conditions.
- Pulmonary rehabilitation: Implementing therapeutic programs that improve lung function for chronic conditions.
- Transport and emergency respiratory care: Assisting with air and ground medical transport, managing airways through manual ventilation, transport ventilators and oxygen monitoring.
How Can You Position Yourself for Success in Respiratory Therapy?
Employers increasingly seek respiratory therapists with undergraduate education focusing on advanced coursework in relevant topics, such as pathophysiology, advanced critical care and practice-based healthcare research. Specifically, a BS in Respiratory Care and professional experience offer opportunities to refine proficiency in ventilators, electronic health records and telehealth tools, in addition to professional and leadership skills in communication, empathy and teamwork. Therapists who pursue additional credentials and continuing education often qualify for broader responsibilities and higher compensation.
For RRTs looking to further advance their careers, Northern Kentucky University’s online Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care is a degree completion program that builds on an existing associate degree and RRT credential, offering advanced coursework in critical care, pathophysiology, healthcare management, and research to prepare graduates for leadership and specialized roles. Earning the registered respiratory therapist credential through the National Board for Respiratory Care demonstrates the advanced competency required for many roles and is often a prerequisite for specialized and supervisory positions. Continuing education and specialty certifications in focused practice areas further distinguish clinical expertise and can support advancement into education, management or systems-level quality improvement.
What Does the Future Hold for Respiratory Therapy Careers?
Long-term demographic and technological trends indicate consistent demand for respiratory care services. As life expectancy increases and chronic disease prevalence rises, healthcare systems require clinicians who manage complex pulmonary conditions across varied settings.
Technological advancements in respiratory care will likely continue driving overall healthcare shifts and the expanding scope of respiratory therapy practice. For instance, innovations in mechanical ventilation, remote patient monitoring and telehealth platforms allow therapists to manage care across hospital and home environments. Workforce development initiatives and public health funding also promote respiratory professional training and retention.
Advance Your Respiratory Therapy Career with NKU
Employment projections show steady growth, thousands of job openings each year and competitive earning potential. This consistent demand reflects ongoing healthcare needs and replacement hiring as experienced professionals retire, and completing a bachelor’s degree can provide opportunities for supervisory positions, specialization and broader clinical responsibilities.
NKU’s online BS in Respiratory Care program helps working professionals to advance their education and qualifications without pausing their careers. Review the curriculum, admission requirements and career outcomes to see how a BS in Respiratory Care supports your long-term goals.
Learn more about NKU’s online BS in Respiratory Care program.
