Respiratory therapists play a key role in patient care across hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and home health environments. With strong national demand and flexible work options, there are more job opportunities for respiratory therapists than ever before. Whether you are an experienced RRT or a new graduate seeking your first position, this guide explains available job types, career paths, and certifications to help you plan your next move.
Respiratory therapists (RTs) care for patients with breathing or cardiopulmonary problems. They evaluate, treat, and manage patients across all age groups, from premature infants to older adults. Common daily tasks include:
Respiratory therapists often help patients recovering from surgery, managing chronic lung conditions, or responding to emergency breathing issues. Their care supports patient safety and continuity of care in every setting.
Respiratory therapists work in a range of healthcare facilities, including:
| Setting | Typical Responsibilities | Example Job Titles |
|---|---|---|
| Hospitals and ICUs | Critical care, intubation, ventilator support | Adult critical care respiratory therapist |
| NICU / PICU | Neonatal or pediatric respiratory support | Pediatric or neonatal respiratory therapist jobs |
| Emergency Departments | Rapid-response airway management | Emergency department / ED RT jobs |
| Rehabilitation Centers / LTACHs | Long-term oxygen therapy and weaning | LTACH respiratory therapist openings |
| Outpatient Clinics | Pulmonary function testing, patient education | Outpatient pulmonary clinic RT jobs |
| Home Health | Chronic disease management and DME setup | Home care / DME respiratory therapist roles |
| Sleep Labs | Polysomnography and PAP titration | Sleep medicine/polysomnography RT jobs |
Respiratory therapy job openings come in many forms, giving both new graduates and experienced therapists flexible options to match their skills, goals, and preferred work settings.
For those entering the field, entry-level respiratory therapist jobs provide a strong start. Many hospitals and clinics offer respiratory therapist job opportunities for new grads through mentorship programs.
Most facilities require at least an associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program and an active state respiratory therapist license. Certification through the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) is standard, with two main credentials:
| Credential | Description | Typical Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| CRT (Certified Respiratory Therapist) | Basic credential after passing the NBRC exam | Entry-level, foundation for licensure |
| RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist) | Advanced credential for clinical specialists | Often required for hospital or travel RT roles |
CRT vs RRT job requirements vary by employer, but most large hospitals prefer the RRT credential. New graduates can also pursue respiratory therapist jobs with no experience required through partner staffing agencies or residency programs.
Respiratory therapy professionals who value flexibility often choose contract respiratory therapist jobs or PRN respiratory therapist jobs (per diem). These positions allow RTs to work in multiple settings or cover short-term staff shortages.
Travel respiratory therapist jobs are in high demand across the U.S., especially in rural hospitals or regions facing seasonal surges. Facilities frequently offer RRT jobs with a sign-on bonus, respiratory therapist jobs with relocation assistance, and high-pay travel RT assignments.
Common schedule types include:
These placements are popular with therapists seeking higher pay or work-life balance.
Many professionals prefer temp-to-perm respiratory therapist positions, where short-term contracts can lead to permanent roles. These positions allow both RTs and facilities to evaluate fit before committing to long-term employment.
Flagstar Rehab connects credentialed respiratory therapists with full-time and part-time roles nationwide, offering verified credentials, rapid onboarding, and compliance support for a smooth hiring experience. Visit FSRehab’s Respiratory Therapist Staffing page to explore current openings and start your application today.
Specialized respiratory therapist careers allow professionals to focus on specific patient groups or clinical environments where their expertise can make the greatest impact.
Pediatric respiratory therapist job openings and neonatal respiratory therapist jobs focus on caring for infants and children with breathing disorders. These RTs often work in NICUs or children’s hospitals and may hold a NPS (Neonatal/Pediatric Specialist) credential.
Tasks include managing ventilators for premature infants, assisting in resuscitation, and educating families on at-home care. This path requires patience, compassion, and advanced airway management skills.
Adult critical care respiratory therapists and those in emergency department / ED RT jobs handle high-acuity cases involving trauma, cardiac arrest, and mechanical ventilation.
RTs in these settings may hold the ACCS (Adult Critical Care Specialist) credential, proving advanced skills in ICU competency and ventilator weaning. This specialty is ideal for professionals with strong decision-making skills and hospital care experience.
Outside hospital care, many facilities need RTs in rehabilitation and outpatient environments. Pulmonary rehab respiratory therapist jobs help patients recover lung strength after illness or surgery.
For RTs interested in diagnostics, pulmonary function lab respiratory therapist jobs, and sleep lab/polysomnography respiratory therapist jobs, provide steady hours and specialized work. Credentials such as RPFT/CPFT (Pulmonary Function Technologist) are valuable for these roles.
Work schedules and compensation vary across healthcare settings, giving respiratory therapists the ability to choose roles that fit their lifestyle and financial goals.
Respiratory therapists can find flexible schedules across different care environments. Most hospitals operate on rotating or 12-hour shifts, while outpatient and home health agencies often provide steady weekday hours.
Common scheduling models:
| Schedule Type | Description | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | 36–40 hours weekly | Consistent pay and benefits |
| Part-time | Flexible weekly hours | Ideal for secondary jobs |
| PRN / per diem | On-call or fill-in work | Higher hourly rates |
| Travel assignments | 8–13 week contracts nationwide | Housing support, higher pay |
Facilities often post day shift/night shift RT openings, offering flexibility for different lifestyles. On-call respiratory therapist coverage is common in smaller hospitals or rural facilities needing 24-hour response.
The respiratory therapist salary range varies by region, experience, and certification level. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for respiratory therapists is expected to grow 13% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for most healthcare careers.
| Role Type | Typical Pay Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level / CRT | $55,000–$65,000 | New graduates, smaller facilities |
| Experienced / RRT | $70,000–$85,000 | Hospitals and acute care |
| Travel RT | $90,000–$110,000+ | Includes housing stipends |
| Supervisory or Specialist (ACCS/NPS) | $90,000–$120,000 | Management or advanced credentials |
Pay also reflects demand and specialty. The respiratory therapist job outlook continues to grow faster than average, driven by the aging population and increased cases of chronic respiratory illness.
Healthcare facilities depend on qualified respiratory therapists to maintain patient safety and meet coverage demands, making effective staffing solutions a key part of respiratory care delivery.
Healthcare facilities often need to hire respiratory therapists fast to maintain patient coverage and compliance. Partnering with a respiratory therapist staffing agency helps hospitals and clinics access credentialed respiratory therapists available now without delays.
Flagstar Rehab offers contract respiratory therapist staffing solutions, helping employers fill urgent roles while maintaining continuity of care, coverage reliability, and time-to-fill efficiency.
Facilities facing peak seasons or staff shortages can use a temp respiratory therapist for leave coverage, travel RT staffing for hospitals, or RT coverage for ICU surge / seasonal RSV. These solutions support patient safety and operational consistency.
Advancing in a respiratory therapist career often depends on continuous learning, specialized training, and earning certifications that expand clinical skills and job opportunities.
Career growth in respiratory therapy often depends on continued education and advanced certifications. Key credentials include:
Holding these certifications improves career mobility and access to specialized or leadership positions.
Respiratory therapists can strengthen their career profile by maintaining a current resume and practicing for interviews.
Resume tips for respiratory therapists:
Interview questions for respiratory therapists:
Participation in organizations such as the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) or NBRC supports mentorship and networking for long-term career growth.
Respiratory therapy offers stable, flexible, and rewarding career paths across hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and home health programs. With growing national demand, respiratory therapists can find opportunities that match their skills, certifications, and preferred schedules. Whether pursuing travel contracts, per diem work, or permanent placements, licensed and licensed therapists are needed nationwide to provide safe, evidence-based respiratory care and improve patient outcomes.
Flagstar Rehab connects qualified respiratory therapists with healthcare facilities across New York through verified credentials, rapid onboarding, and personalized job matching. Whether you want contract, travel, or full-time employment, Flagstar Rehab simplifies the hiring process so you can focus on your career growth. Explore current respiratory therapy job openings today and take the next step toward a fulfilling role.
Yes, respiratory therapy is one of the fastest-growing healthcare careers in the United States. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects job growth much faster than average due to the aging population and higher rates of chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma, COPD, and sleep apnea. Hospitals and rehabilitation centers continue to hire respiratory therapists nationwide to meet rising patient needs.
Several healthcare careers support patients with lung and breathing disorders. These include respiratory therapists, pulmonologists, critical care nurses, sleep technologists, and pulmonary rehabilitation specialists.
Respiratory therapists can begin with entry-level roles after earning a degree from a CoARC-accredited program and obtaining NBRC certification. From there, many pursue advanced credentials such as RRT, ACCS (Adult Critical Care Specialist), or NPS (Neonatal/Pediatric Specialist). Career paths include supervisory positions, clinical education, management, home care, or travel and contract work through staffing agencies. Some RTs also move into pulmonary diagnostics, sleep medicine, or equipment sales.
Respiratory therapists typically earn higher salaries in hospitals, intensive care units, and travel positions. Regions with workforce shortages, such as parts of the Midwest and rural areas, often offer increased pay rates or sign-on bonuses. Travel respiratory therapist jobs and specialized roles like adult critical care respiratory therapist or pulmonary function technologist also tend to pay above the national median salary.