isworthit

Is Respiratory Therapy a Good Career?

2026 data · Last updated 2026-07-05

The verdict

Yes — respiratory therapy pairs solid pay from an associate degree with much-faster-than-average growth driven by an aging population. Expect hospital shift work and high-stakes, critical-care moments.

The numbers behind the verdict

The pay and outlook that back up the call above — real BLS figures, not a salary table to browse.

Median salary
$82,280/yr
Job growth
+12.1% (2024-2034, much faster than average)
Cost to enter
$7,196

associate's degree (2 yr)

Payback period
~0.1 yr of median pay to recoup tuition
More BLS detail (pay range, employment, entry education)
Typical pay range (25th–75th pct)
$74,520 – $98,730
People employed (U.S.)
139,790
Avg. annual openings
~8,800
Typical entry education
Associate's degree

Salary: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS). Growth: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034. Cost & payback estimated from NCES tuition (AY2022–23); payback is a simplified tuition-to-median-pay proxy and excludes aid and opportunity cost.

Pay varies by state: Respiratory Therapy earns from $63,270 in Mississippi to $111,950 in District of Columbia. See your state — adjusted for cost of living & tax.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Solid pay from a two-year associate degree
  • Much-faster-than-average projected growth
  • Essential, recession-resistant role
  • Meaningful critical-care work
  • Clear licensure pathway

Cons

  • Hospital shift work (nights, weekends)
  • High-stakes, sometimes stressful situations
  • Exposure to illness
  • Physically active days

Who it's for

✓ A good fit if…

  • People wanting strong pay-per-education in health care
  • Those who thrive in fast-paced clinical settings
  • Anyone drawn to critical-care work

✗ Probably not if…

  • People who want low-stress, predictable hours
  • Those uncomfortable with acute-care intensity

What people are actually asking

Real Reddit discussions on whether Respiratory Therapy is worth it — titles link to the original threads.

FAQ

Is respiratory therapy a good career?

Yes — it offers solid pay from an associate degree and much-faster-than-average growth as the population ages. The trade-offs are hospital shift work and the intensity of critical-care settings.

How much does a respiratory therapist make?

The median annual wage is $82,280 (BLS OEWS, May 2024 release), with the middle 50% earning between $74,520 and $98,730.

What's the job outlook for a respiratory therapist?

BLS projects +12.1% (2024-2034, much faster than average) in employment from 2024 to 2034, with about 9k openings per year on average.

Respiratory Therapy salary by state

Tap a state for its median pay adjusted for cost of living and state income tax — 51 states with BLS data, highest first.

Sources