Respiratory Therapists

Health Science In demand
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.

What a respiratory therapist does

Become a respiratory therapist

If you enjoy doing these activities, you might make a good respiratory therapist

  • Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements.
  • Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
  • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
  • Looking for ways to help people.
  • Understanding people's reactions.

Discover what you could earn in Washington

  • Average hourly rate is $41 per hour with an average salary of $86,100 per year.
  • Half of workers earn between $37 and $46 per hour.
  • Half of workers earn an annual salary between $76,400 and $95,800 per year.

Respiratory Therapist job outlook

  • There are 2,434 workers in this occupation in Washington.
  • There are 190 openings per year in this occupation in Washington.

Growth rate by year

Education needed

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Programs to get you there

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