Menu
Avg. salary range
$90k–$97k
across regions
Hours / Day
12
Days / Week
3
working days
About this career
A respiratory therapist is a healthcare professional who helps people breathe better. They work with patients who have trouble breathing because of conditions like asthma, pneumonia, or lung disease, and they also help people who have had serious injuries or surgeries. Respiratory therapists use special equipment like ventilators and oxygen masks to support a patient’s breathing, especially in emergencies or in hospitals. They work closely with doctors and nurses to create treatment plans and monitor how well patients are doing. Whether it's helping a newborn take their first breath or assisting an elderly person with a breathing disorder, respiratory therapists play an important role in saving lives and improving quality of life.
Career Level
Where you could work
Click or tap a logo to learn more.
Where do we get our data?
Our career data is based on regional averages provided by the Spokane Workforce Council. Data is subject to change based on location, job specialty, experience level, and/or union association.
What you'll need
Hover or tap a skill to learn more.
Attention To Detail
Do you often notice things that other people miss? Are you able to complete a project with few or no mistakes?
Communication
Are you able to write or vocalize your thoughts efficiently? Can you retain information that you hear or read?
Compassion
Are you able to understand how someone else is feeling without judgment? Do you reach out when you see someone in need of help?
Problem Solving
Do you enjoy solving puzzles? Are you able to easily identify the cause of a problem?
Education & Training
Associate's Degree
An associate's degree is the shortest post-secondary degree. Increasingly, people are turning to associate's as a quicker, less expensive route to career change than the traditional bachelor's or four-year degree. Associate's degrees usually take between two and three years to complete.
Compensation
Spokane
Washington
Low
$82,700
Average
$89,800
High
$99,800
Washington minimum wage
Salary data reflects regional averages and may vary by employer, experience, and specialization.
Work Schedule
Shift cycle
3 on · 4 off per cycle
Schedules can vary widely, but 12 hour shifts for 36 hours a week is most common.
How does it compare?
Average Salary
$93,667
Overall Rank
53rd
out of 199 careers
In Health Science
17th
out of 39 careers
Salary distribution
Rankings are based on average salary data across all careers in our database. Individual earnings may vary.
See it in action
