Respiratory Therapists
Assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders.
About the profession
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.
How to Get Started
Take a personality test to see if Respiratory Therapists fits your profile
Career Match Test →Explore the Career Path section to see progression from junior to senior
Jump to Career Path →Start learning — check the Learning Path for free courses
Jump to Learning Path →Personality Fit
Based on the Respiratory Therapists role, here are the RIASEC personality types that tend to thrive in this career. While these alignments are common, individual success depends on motivation, skill development, and finding the right work environment.
Social
Helping, teaching, working with people
Investigative
Research, analysis, problem-solving
Conventional
Organizing, detail-oriented, structured
Not sure if these types match you? Take the full RIASEC assessment (12-15 min) to discover your personality profile and see how it aligns with hundreds of careers.
Career Path
Your career progression roadmap with salary growth at each level
Career Ladder
Junior Respiratory Therapist → Practitioner Respiratory Therapist → Senior Practitioner Respiratory Therapist → Lead Respiratory Therapist
Where are you on this career path?
Click a level below to set your current position
Salary Growth
4
Levels
104K
Top Salary
8+
Years
Learning Path
Skills you need to develop and courses to get there
🚀
Set your current level first
Go to the Career Path tab and select your current level to see your personalized learning plan.
Go to Career PathCareer levels
Timeline: 0-2 | Entry Level Base: $59,180 - $70,505/year With equity/bonuses: $65,098 - $84,606 Top markets (SF/NYC): $68,057 - $84,606 Execute core tasks using Active Listening…
Day in Life
Junior vs Senior, daily schedule breakdown
9am, Monitor patient's physiological responses to therapy, such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, or blood chemistry changes, and consult with physician if adverse reactions…
Income Dynamics
Conservative and aggressive scenarios for 10–15 years
Year 1: Entry level $41,426 - $63,455 Year 2-3: Junior level $70,505 - $77,739 Year 4-6: Mid level $77,739 - $84,285 Year 7-10: Senior level $84,285 - $97,813 Year 10+:…
Is this for me?
15 questions, answer honestly
You find the craft of a Respiratory Therapist genuinely interesting, not just a paycheck You enjoy working with Active Listening and Critical Thinking You communicate clearly with…
💰 Salary Range
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Related Reading
Related Holland / RIASEC Types