Job Outlook for a Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory Therapists are in high demand in the healthcare industry, with job outlooks continuing to be strong. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 12% job growth for Respiratory Therapists from 2018 to 2028, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This strong job growth is due to an aging population, increased rates of chronic conditions such as asthma and COPD, and rising rates of premature births.

The demand for Respiratory Therapists is high across all settings, from hospitals and long-term care facilities to home health agencies and physician’s offices. The BLS also reports that Respiratory Therapists are more likely to be employed by hospitals than any other type of facility.

Respiratory Therapists are also in demand in international settings. The International Society for Respiratory Care (ISRC) has reported a shortage of qualified Respiratory Therapists in many parts of the world. This shortage is due to an aging population, increasing rates of chronic respiratory diseases, and a lack of qualified professionals.

In addition to the strong job outlook, Respiratory Therapists are also seeing an increase in wages. The median annual wage for Respiratory Therapists in 2019 was $60,280, which is higher than the median for all occupations. The top 10% of Respiratory Therapists earned more than $94,050 in 2019. Additionally, Respiratory Therapists can expect to experience job growth in the coming years due to the increasing demand for respiratory care services.

Overall, Respiratory Therapists can expect to experience strong job prospects and wage growth in the coming years. With a growing aging population and increasing rates of chronic respiratory diseases, Respiratory Therapists are in high demand and can expect to see a steady increase in job opportunities.