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Respiratory Therapy Technicians


Nature of the Work About this section

Respiratory therapy technicians follow specific, well-defined respiratory care procedures under the direction of respiratory therapists and physicians. They help to evaluate, treat, and care for patients with breathing or other cardiopulmonary disorders.

Education and Training About this section

An associate degree generally is required to work as a respiratory therapy technician. However, the entry-level requirement is a postsecondary certificate from an accredited school.

Job Outlook About this section

Current and Projected Employment.

2008 Employment 16,500
2018 Employment 16,400
Employment Change -200
Growth Rate -1%

Employment change. Little or no change in employment growth is projected for respiratory therapy technicians. Most work in respiratory care is being done by respiratory therapists, resulting in limited demand for respiratory therapy technicians.

Job prospects. Respiratory therapy technicians can expect keen competition. Very few openings for respiratory therapy technicians are expected, as the work is increasingly performed by respiratory therapists.

Earnings About this section

Median annual wages for respiratory therapy technicians were $42,430 in May 2008.


Physicians and surgeons; Respiratory therapists.

Sources of Additional Information About this section


Disclaimer:

Links to non-BLS Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.

  • American Association for Respiratory Care, 9425 N. MacArthur Blvd., Suite 100, Irving, TX 75063. Internet: http://www.aarc.org

O*NET-SOC Code Coverage About this section

Get more information from O*NET—the Occupational Information Network:

O*NET provides comprehensive information on key characteristics of workers and occupations. For information on a specific occupation, select the appropriate link below. For more information on O*NET, visit their homepage.


Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, Respiratory Therapy Technicians, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos322.htm (visited February 09, 2012).

 

Last Modified Date: December 17, 2009