This Job Only Requires An Associate Degree And Has A Median Pay Of Over $80k Per Year

Many well-paying jobs, especially in the medical field, have a high barrier to entry due to lengthy and expensive education requirements. For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that physicians made a median annual salary of $275,930 as of May 2025, but had to complete roughly 10 years of education to reach that earning threshold. In contrast, positions as a home health aide are widely available and often don't require any college education, but only paid a median annual salary of $35,800 in 2025, per the BLS. Somewhere in the middle lies the respiratory therapist. When someone struggles to keep their respiratory system healthy, respiratory therapists (RTs) are charged with helping patients breathe easy. With such an important job comes a well-deserved salary, but without the need for a daunting amount of education and preparation.

Most respiratory therapists can get started by completing an associate degree, which typically takes about two years, then fulfilling the licensure requirements of the state in which they plan to practice. As of May 2025, the BLS reported the median annual salary for a respiratory therapist was $82,280 — a figure well within the range of a comfortable income in 2026. If you enjoy helping people from all walks of life and have the calm demeanor necessary to handle stressful situations, then you might be on your way to a personally and financially rewarding career as a respiratory therapist.

Many RTs start their careers in respiratory care by becoming Certified Respiratory Therapists (CRTs) through the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), but the NBRC also offers a higher level of credentials to become a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT). Taking the extra steps to become an RRT could open doors to higher-paying positions. The American Association for Respiratory Care estimates that the top 10% of RRTs make $108,161 per year, compared to only $80,119 for the top 10% of CRTs. That said, RT salaries in general can also vary based on location. As of May 2025, the BLS reported the top-paying states for respiratory therapists include California, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and New York, where RTs made annual mean salaries ranging from $99,750 to $110,200.

Between 2025 and 2035, the BLS also projects respiratory therapist employment to grow by about 9%, which is faster than many fields in the U.S. Most of these jobs are  likely to open up in hospitals, outpatient care centers, and primary care offices. Though all three of these environments tend to pay within a few thousand dollars of the average RT income, RTs working in hospitals have historically made slightly more than average — $82,730 per year as of May 2025 — followed by those working in nursing care facilities and physician's offices.

For RTs making less than that $80,000 annual income, there are some career moves you can make to increase your earnings. Outside of the basic educational requirements RTs complete to enter the field, they can take additional classes and training to gain specializations. Some of the extra expertise you can pursue can be for working with specific communities, such as specializing in adult critical care or treating neonatal patients. Others might specialize in treating specific conditions, such as sleep disorders or asthma. The NBRC offers these credentials for respiratory therapists who want to pursue a specific career path or just generally widen their knowledge. 

Neonatal and pediatric respiratory therapists make an average annual salary of $89,915 according to ZipRecruiter, which is significantly higher than the median salary for RTs without a specialization. It's about the same for critical care respiratory therapists. However, some of the highest earners in these fields can make upwards of $135,000 or more. Having one or more additional credentials of this nature could make you a more attractive candidate to employers, or give you a leg up when it comes time to talk to your boss about getting a raise.