Select Region Rural Capital AreaRural Capital Area + Travis County Career Profile Respiratory Therapist Education Associate's This is the typical education required for this occupation. Earnings $80,200 This is the median salary for this occupation. Respiratory therapists care for patients who have trouble breathingfor example, from a chronic respiratory disease, such as asthma or emphysema. General Information 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. Training Funds Available This is a Rural Capital Area Target Occupation.Training and education opportunities are available with eligible providers throughout the state. Please contact us for more details. Watch a brief video about this occupation. Watch Video Respiratory Therapist Occupational Outlook For the Rural Capital Area + Travis County 65 Job Opportunities Over the next five years, an average of 65 openings per year are projected for Respiratory Therapist. +14.8% Employment Change Employment for Respiratory Therapist is forecasted to increase on par with the regional average by 14.8% between 2025 and 2030. $38.54 Earnings Potential The typical worker in this occupation is paid $38.54/hour. Entry level workers are paid $30.41, while experienced workers are paid $44.29. The median wage is significantly above the wage across all occupations. Local Employment Opportunities There are 828 Respiratory Therapist in the Rural Capital Area + Travis County region. By 2030 this number could reach 951. Top Employing Industries, Locally The top industries employing Respiratory Therapist are General Medical and Surgical Hospitals, Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities), and Offices of Other Health Practitioners. Knowledge Areas The top most significant knowledge categories for Respiratory Therapist include Customer and Personal Service, Medicine and Dentistry, and Education and Training. Educational Attainment Patterns The most common level of education for Respiratory Therapist is Associate's. 89% of people employed in these roles have some form of college degree. Sources: Headlight Data BLS Lightcast®
