Respiratory Therapy Technician: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Respiratory Therapy Technician programs equip students with the foundational skills needed to support respiratory care teams in diverse healthcare environments. This training emphasizes hands-on proficiency in delivering essential respiratory treatments under the guidance of licensed respiratory therapists, ensuring safe and effective patient outcomes.
- Patient Data Collection and Monitoring: Learn systematic methods for gathering vital respiratory information, including vital signs, oxygen saturation, and respiratory rate, to inform clinical decision-making.
- Airway Management: Gain expertise in maintaining and securing patient airways using techniques such as suctioning, positioning, and the use of basic airway adjuncts.
- Nebulizer and Respiratory Device Installation: Master the setup, calibration, and application of nebulizers, oxygen delivery systems, and other non-invasive respiratory support devices.
- Application and Monitoring of Breathing Gases: Understand the safe administration of oxygen and other therapeutic gases, including flow rate adjustments and patient response tracking.
- Equipment Operation and Maintenance: Develop technical competence in operating, troubleshooting, and performing routine maintenance on respiratory therapy equipment.
- Safety and Sanitation Protocols: Adhere to strict infection control standards and safety procedures to prevent cross-contamination and ensure a secure clinical environment.
- Regulatory Compliance: Study current healthcare regulations and standards governing respiratory therapy practice, including documentation, reporting, and patient privacy laws.
Respiratory Therapy Technician Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Respiratory Therapy Technician Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Respiratory Therapy Technician degrees, including Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 174,060 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other 29-2099 | $48,790 | $37,290 - $81,290 | 174,060 | $23.46 |
Respiratory Therapy Technician Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $37,630 in Louisiana to $65,560 in Wyoming—a 74% difference. The highest-paying states include Wyoming, Delaware, and Washington. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 174,060 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Respiratory Therapy Technician by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 22 institutions offering Respiratory Therapy Technician programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Respiratory Therapy Technician is found at Carrington College, Las Vegas (65 graduates), Carrington College, Phoenix North (53 graduates), Highline College (39 graduates), Carrington College, Pleasant Hill Campus (37 graduates), and Mandl School-The College of Allied Health (34 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 431 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrington College |
Associate's
|
65 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Private | carrington.edu |
| Carrington College |
Associate's
|
53 | Phoenix, Arizona | Private | carrington.edu |
| Highline College |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
39 | Des Moines, Washington | Public | highline.edu |
| Carrington College |
Associate's
|
37 | Pleasant Hill, California | Private | carrington.edu |
| Mandl School-The College of Allied Health |
Associate's
|
34 | New York, New York | Private | mandl.edu |
| Francis Tuttle Technology Center |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
31 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Public | francistuttle.edu |
| Muskegon Community College (MCC) |
Associate's
|
20 | Muskegon, Michigan | Public | muskegoncc.edu |
| Tacoma Community College (TCC ) |
Associate's
|
19 | Tacoma, Washington | Public | tacomacc.edu |
| Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) |
Associate's
|
17 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | slcc.edu |
| Spokane Community College (SCC) |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Spokane, Washington | Public | scc.spokane.edu |
| Delaware Technical Community College |
Associate's
|
16 | Dover, Delaware | Public | dtcc.edu |
| Genesee Community College (GCC) |
Associate's
|
14 | Batavia, New York | Public | genesee.edu |
| Autry Technology Center (Autry Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
12 | Enid, Oklahoma | Public | autrytech.edu |
| Dalton State College (DSC) |
Associate's
|
10 | Dalton, Georgia | Public | daltonstate.edu |
| Eastern Oklahoma State College (EOSC) |
Associate's
|
10 | Wilburton, Oklahoma | Public | eosc.edu |
| Laurel Technical Institute (LTI) |
Associate's
|
8 | Hermitage, Pennsylvania | Private | laurel.edu |
| Newberry College |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Newberry, South Carolina | Private | newberry.edu |
| Kettering College |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Kettering, Ohio | Private | kc.edu |
| University of the District of Columbia (UDC) |
Associate's
|
5 | Washington, District of Columbia | Public | udc.edu |
| Vermont State University (VTSU) |
Associate's
|
4 | Randolph, Vermont | Public | vermontstate.edu |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
3 | San German, Puerto Rico | Private | sg.inter.edu |
| Mercyhurst University |
Associate's
|
2 | Erie, Pennsylvania | Private | mercyhurst.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Respiratory Therapy Technician programs
How much can I earn with a Respiratory Therapy Technician degree?
Salaries for Respiratory Therapy Technician graduates vary by role and location. Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other earn a median of $48,790 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Wyoming average $65,560 compared to $37,630 in Louisiana. Approximately 174,060 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Respiratory Therapy Technician programs?
Currently 22 accredited institutions offer Respiratory Therapy Technician degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Carrington College, Las Vegas (65 graduates), Carrington College, Phoenix North (53 graduates), and Highline College (39 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Respiratory Therapy Technician growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 802 in 2010 to 431 in 2023-24. This represents a 46% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Respiratory Therapy Technician degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other. Related occupations employ approximately 174,060 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Related Health Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Health field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
Medical Science
An undifferentiated clinical science program that prepares clinicians to conduct clinical and translational research in various areas. Note: programs that prepare clinicians to...
Clinical and Translational Science
A program of study that prepares clinicians to direct a broad range of scientific or clinical or translational studies, translate scientific knowledge into...
Orofacial Pain and Temporomandibular Disorders
A program that prepares clinicians to evaluate, diagnose, and treat of a wide variety of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and orofacial pain disorders as...
Medical Clinical Sciences
Any program in medical clinical sciences or graduate medical studies not listed above.
Substance Abuse Counseling
A program that prepares individuals to help prevent substance abuse, counsel individuals and families with drug and alcohol problems, and perform intervention and...
Psychiatric and Mental Health Services Technician
A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, and other mental health care professionals, to provide direct patient care...