When comparing respiratory therapist salary vs registered nurse, both careers play vital roles in patient care and remain in high demand across healthcare facilities. Each requires formal education, clinical training, and professional licensing. While their work often overlaps in hospitals, nursing homes, and outpatient clinics, the focus of each role differs. Respiratory therapists specialize in treating breathing disorders and cardiopulmonary conditions, while registered nurses manage overall patient care, administer medications, and support recovery. Both offer stable career paths and opportunities for advancement in the healthcare industry.
Both careers offer stable, well-paying opportunities in healthcare, but their education, responsibilities, and long-term growth differ in key ways shown below.
| Category | Respiratory Therapist | Registered Nurse |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Education | Associate Degree in Respiratory Care (some positions require a Bachelor’s) | Associate or Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN preferred in many hospitals) |
| Licensure | Certified or Registered Respiratory Therapist (CRT / RRT) through NBRC | NCLEX-RN License (Registered Nurse) |
| National Average Salary (2025 Estimate) | $74,000 – $85,000 (BLS 2023 mean ≈ $74,310) ¹ | $86,000 – $96,000 (BLS 2023 mean ≈ $89,010) ² |
| Projected Job Outlook (2022 – 2032) | +13 % growth. Driven by rising cases of COPD, asthma, and long-term respiratory conditions ³ | +6 % growth. Steady demand from the aging population and preventive care needs ⁴ |
| Primary Focus | Treating respiratory conditions, ventilator management, and analyzing blood gases | General patient health, administering medications, wound care, and care coordination |
| Common Work Settings | Hospitals, critical care units, emergency departments, and outpatient clinics | Hospitals, nursing homes, ambulatory care, public health, and women’s health |
| Certifications | NBRC (CRT / RRT), BLS, ACLS, PALS (optional) | BLS, ACLS, PALS, specialty nursing certifications (CCRN, CNOR, etc.) |
The data above was verified from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024–2025) Occupational Outlook Handbook for Registered Nurses and Respiratory Therapists.
Respiratory therapists specialize in diagnosing and treating breathing disorders and cardiopulmonary disorders. They work with patients who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, pneumonia, or other respiratory ailments. Their role requires close coordination with physicians and nurses to develop and monitor treatment plans that support the patient’s health.
Key Job Responsibilities
Respiratory therapists work across healthcare facilities, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, and nursing homes. A licensed respiratory therapist may also assist in emergency medicine and home health programs that help patients manage long-term respiratory conditions.
Registered nurses focus on patient care across a broader scope of health conditions. Their work covers everything from nursing assessments and treatment coordination to patient education and emotional support. RNs collaborate with fellow nurses, respiratory therapists, and other healthcare professionals to deliver consistent care and monitor outcomes.
Key Job Duties
RNs are employed in hospitals, nursing homes, women’s health centers, ambulatory care clinics, and public health programs. They treat patients across all age groups and often specialize in areas such as neonatal nursing, emergency medicine, or oncology.
Both respiratory therapists and registered nurses follow rigorous educational pathways that prepare them for clinical work. Their educational background may start similarly, but the focus areas differ as they progress.
Each profession contributes unique strengths that improve patient outcomes and support effective teamwork in healthcare settings.
Nursing education prepares students to deliver safe, effective patient care through structured academic programs and clinical training.
Educational costs vary between fields. Respiratory therapy programs are often shorter and less expensive, while nursing programs with a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree require a longer commitment but open doors to higher-level positions.
According to recent labor statistics, respiratory therapists earn a national median salary of about $80,450, while registered nurses earn around $93,600 per year. Actual pay varies based on location, experience, education, and workplace setting.
Respiratory therapists usually earn more in hospitals and intensive care units than in outpatient clinics or nursing homes. Registered nurses tend to receive the highest pay in government facilities and specialized areas such as emergency medicine, neonatal nursing, and women’s health.
Other pay factors include overtime and shift differentials for nights, weekends, and holidays. Many professionals increase their income through travel or contract placements, while some earn additional bonuses for specialized credentials such as RRT or nurse practitioner certification.
| Setting | Respiratory Therapist | Registered Nurse |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital / ICU | $85,000 | $95,000 |
| Outpatient Clinic | $76,000 | $89,000 |
| Nursing Home | $72,000 | $84,000 |
| Home Health | $80,000 | $90,000 |
Both healthcare professions provide stable income, strong job security, and room for salary growth through specialization or higher education.
Career Path and Advancement
Both careers provide multiple ways to grow through higher education, certifications, and specialized clinical experience.
Respiratory therapists typically begin their careers as certified or licensed professionals in hospitals or clinics. With experience, they can advance to become registered respiratory therapists focusing on critical care or neonatal care. Those who pursue leadership roles may work as department managers, clinical educators, or researchers. Some professionals branch out into teaching, medical sales, or consulting within the respiratory care field.
Nurses follow a similarly structured career path with more diverse options. They often start as staff nurses in hospitals, clinics, or nursing homes before progressing to mid-level positions like charge nurse or nurse educator. Advanced roles include nurse practitioners, family nurse practitioners, or nurse administrators, with leadership opportunities extending to director or chief nursing officer positions in healthcare facilities.
Both paths allow career advancement through continuing education and specialization. Professionals with a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree often move into leadership or academic positions.
Respiratory therapists have specialized expertise in respiratory treatments, ventilator management, and patient education. They are skilled in performing diagnostic tests, interpreting blood gases, and managing respiratory emergencies in critical care patients. Their primary focus is on respiratory care, helping patients manage breathing disorders and other cardiopulmonary conditions effectively.
Registered nurses possess broad clinical knowledge that covers multiple health conditions and aspects of patient care. They coordinate treatment plans, administer medications, manage patient discharge, and offer emotional support to patients and families. Nurses play a key role in providing long-term follow-up care and maintaining the overall health of patients across various healthcare settings.
Both roles depend on collaboration with physicians and other medical professionals. Nurses and respiratory therapists often work side by side to stabilize patients, manage oxygen therapy, and promote recovery in critical care units and outpatient clinics.
Healthcare facilities nationwide face rising demand for licensed respiratory therapists. Flagstar Rehab provides credentialed respiratory therapists ready for contract, temp-to-perm, or direct hire placements. Our professionals are fully vetted, certified, and ready to support your facility’s respiratory care needs.
Collaboration Between Nurses and Respiratory Therapists
In every medical setting, nurses and respiratory therapists work together to support patient recovery. This collaboration is especially visible in emergency medicine and intensive care units where fast coordination determines outcomes.
Example Teamwork Scenarios
When healthcare facilities need dependable respiratory staffing support, Flagstar Rehab delivers. Our team connects hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics with credentialed therapists ready to fill temporary, permanent, or contract roles. Request qualified respiratory therapist placements today.
When comparing respiratory therapist salary vs registered nurse, nurses have a modest pay advantage, but both careers offer excellent job outlook, rewarding patient care experiences, and advancement opportunities. Respiratory therapy provides specialization in respiratory care and cardiopulmonary medicine, while nursing offers a broader range of clinical paths and leadership potential. Both roles remain in high demand across healthcare facilities in 2025.
Flagstar Rehab helps healthcare facilities find qualified respiratory therapists and nurses for contract, temp-to-perm, or permanent positions. Our team handles credentialing, scheduling, and placements so your facility can focus on patient care. Whether you need short-term coverage or long-term staffing, FSRehab connects you with healthcare professionals who are ready to make a difference. Request staffing support today.
A respiratory therapist (RT) specializes in respiratory care and focuses on treating breathing disorders and cardiopulmonary conditions. They perform diagnostic tests, draw blood gases, and manage ventilators for patients with respiratory ailments. A registered nurse (RN) has a broader scope, providing direct patient care, administering medications, and coordinating treatment plans across many health conditions.
Respiratory therapists who earn advanced credentials, such as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) certification, often receive the highest salaries. Those working in intensive care units, emergency rooms, or as supervisors and clinical specialists can earn over $100,000 per year, depending on experience and location.
Advanced nursing roles generally pay the most. Nurse anesthetists, nurse practitioners, and family nurse practitioners are among the highest-paid nursing professionals, often earning six-figure salaries due to their advanced education and specialized clinical responsibilities.
Yes. Respiratory therapy offers strong job security, competitive pay, and meaningful work helping patients with critical respiratory conditions. With demand for respiratory therapists growing across hospitals, outpatient clinics, and nursing homes, it remains a stable and rewarding career path.