Career Profile
Respiratory Therapists
Respiratory therapists care for patients who have trouble breathing—for example, from a chronic respiratory disease, such as asthma or emphysema.
General Information
Assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders. Assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care modalities, including the supervision of respiratory therapy technicians. Initiate and conduct therapeutic procedures; maintain patient records; and select, assemble, check, and operate equipment.
Training Funds Available
This is a Rural Capital Area Target Occupation.
Training and education opportunities are available with eligible providers throughout the state.
Please visit the Texas Workforce Commission website for more details.
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Respiratory Therapists
Occupational Outlook
For the Rural Capital Area
Job Opportunities
Over the next five years, an average of 25 openings per year are projected for Respiratory Therapists.
Employment Change
Employment for Respiratory Therapists is forecasted to increase significantly more than the regional average by 21.6% between 2023 and 2028.
Earnings Potential
An average worker in this occupation is paid $35.18/hour. Entry level workers are paid $29.58, while experienced workers are paid $39.15. The median wage is significantly above average regional wages across occupations.
Local Employment Opportunities
There are 234 Respiratory Therapists in the RCA region. By 2028 this number could reach 285.
Top 5 Employing Industries, Locally
The top industries employing Respiratory Therapists are General Medical and Surgical Hospitals, Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers, and Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals.
Knowledge Areas
The top most significant knowledge categories for Respiratory Therapists include Customer and Personal Service, Medicine and Dentistry, and English Language.
Educational Attainment Patterns
The most common level of education for Respiratory Therapists is Associate's. 100% of people employed in these roles have some form of college degree.