What Can You Do With an Associate's Degree in Respiratory Care Therapy in 2025?

by Imed Bouchrika, Phd

Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist

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What can you do with an associate's degree in respiratory care therapy in 2025?

An associate’s degree is the standard entry point for becoming a respiratory therapist. All states except Alaska require licensure, which is typically earned by completing this two-year program and passing a national exam. Graduates are trained to perform essential tasks such as conducting patient assessments, running pulmonary diagnostic tests, and managing oxygen therapy or mechanical ventilators. The work spans the full patient spectrum, from premature infants with underdeveloped lungs to older adults living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The profession also offers stability and opportunity. Employment is projected to grow 13% from 2023 to 2033, with about 8,200 job openings each year, largely due to retirements and rising demand for care. For students, this means that completing an associate’s degree doesn’t just open a career door—it opens one with strong long-term security and immediate employability. Similarly, completing your training can also prepare you for LVN jobs, which provide hands-on patient care and a pathway to further nursing advancement.

What jobs can you get with an associate’s in respiratory therapy?

Graduates with an associate’s degree in respiratory care step directly into clinical roles. The most common is Respiratory Therapist, often working in high-intensity settings such as hospital ICUs, emergency rooms, and neonatal intensive care units. Others take specialized roles such as Pulmonary Function Technologists, who run diagnostic labs; Sleep Disorder Specialists, who assess and manage sleep apnea; or Home-Care Respiratory Therapists, who support patients managing oxygen therapy outside the hospital.

Geographic trends also matter. The demand for respiratory therapists is concentrated in certain states, with the largest numbers employed in California, Texas, and Florida. In these high-demand regions, many students pursue fastest online respiratory care therapy associate's degree programs to accelerate entry into the workforce.

The chart below highlights where jobs are most concentrated, underscoring where new graduates will find the largest opportunities.

How much do respiratory therapists earn with an associate’s degree?

Respiratory therapy is one of the strongest-paying healthcare careers accessible with only a two-year associate’s degree. In 2024, the median annual wage was $80,450, well above the national median for all occupations. What makes the field especially appealing is the clear earnings trajectory across percentiles.

At the lower end, new or less experienced therapists typically fall into the 10th or 25th percentile, where salaries are in the $59,000–$65,000 range. As therapists gain experience, move into specialized care units, or take on supervisory roles, wages climb. By the 75th percentile, pay is near $89,000, and the top 10% surpass $104,000 annually. This progression, which the chart below presents, illustrates how the profession rewards tenure, advanced skills, and additional certifications.

These trends mirror broader healthcare patterns—similar to how nurses who pursue top ranked RN to BSN online programs see higher pay and expanded opportunities, respiratory therapists benefit from upskilling beyond the entry level.

What are the most common work environments for respiratory therapists?

Most respiratory therapists begin their careers in hospitals, where the intensity of patient needs requires round-the-clock staffing. In fact, 82% of RTs work in hospitals, with the majority concentrated in general medical and surgical facilities. A smaller share work in nursing care facilities, physician offices, or through employment services. These varied environments influence the pace and type of care delivered—critical care in ICUs, long-term support in nursing homes, or outpatient testing in physician practices.

Industry data (May 2023):

• General medical & surgical hospitals: 98,060 employed
• Specialty hospitals: 7,500
• Nursing care facilities: 4,760
• Employment services: 4,170
• Offices of physicians: 2,450

These numbers highlight how hospitals dominate the field while other settings create smaller but meaningful niches. In outpatient teams, respiratory therapists often work alongside allied health peers such as those in fastest medical assistant associate's degree online programs, making interprofessional collaboration a constant.

What essential certifications and licenses are required after earning an associate’s?

Finishing an associate’s degree is only the start—respiratory therapists must meet credentialing and licensure standards before practicing. The National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) oversees two main credentials: the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) as the entry-level requirement and the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) as the advanced benchmark. In 2024, NBRC reported 23,302 exams taken, 13,065 new credentials issued, and a cumulative total of 562,993 credentials awarded—evidence of the profession’s scale and regulatory rigor.

State licensure is also essential. Every state except Alaska requires respiratory therapists to be licensed, typically using NBRC exam results as the qualifying standard. The CRT credential opens the door, but employers increasingly prefer or mandate RRT-level preparation, especially in specialized hospital units.

These credentialing steps distinguish respiratory therapy from aide-level health roles that can be certified more quickly, such as those pursuing the fastest home health aide certification online. For students, this reinforces that an associate’s degree in respiratory care offers both faster entry than bachelor-level clinical fields and stronger professional regulation than short-term aide credentials.

How long does it take to complete a respiratory care associate’s degree?

Respiratory care associate programs are designed for efficiency without sacrificing clinical depth. According to 2025 education data, the average completion time is 18.89 months—shorter than the traditional two-year expectation. Programs average 202 contact hours, with 345 colleges nationwide offering certificate or associate-level preparation in the field.

Cost also plays into planning. In the 2024–25 academic year, average undergraduate tuition was $22,978, though in-state students paid closer to $8,907 compared with out-of-state averages of $22,978. This makes respiratory care training one of the more affordable entry points into frontline healthcare roles, particularly relative to four-year nursing or advanced practice pathways.

The key takeaway: most students can complete their associate’s in under two years and move directly into licensure and practice. That timeline is considerably shorter than graduate-level clinical paths, such as those training through fastest online MSN in psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner programs.

Can you specialize or advance further with only an associate degree?

Yes—earning an associate’s degree in respiratory care opens a pathway not just to entry-level licensure but also to specialization. Graduates first qualify as Certified Respiratory Therapists (CRT), and with further testing, they can achieve the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential. These steps allow movement into advanced areas like critical care units, neonatal and pediatric respiratory care, pulmonary diagnostics, and sleep medicine labs. For nurses aiming to expand into advanced practice specifically for women’s health, a DNP WHNP program online offers a flexible path to achieve this specialization while balancing professional and personal commitments.

The numbers show how active this credentialing pipeline is. In 2024, the NBRC administered 23,302 exams and issued 13,065 new credentials, bringing the cumulative total to 562,993 credentials awarded. This steady flow demonstrates how respiratory therapy remains a structured, professionalized field with growing opportunities for specialization.

While an associate’s degree is enough to practice and expand into specialized clinical settings, upward mobility into administrative or leadership roles often requires additional education. Many experienced therapists transition into healthcare management by pursuing advanced degrees, such as the best online master of health administration programs, to combine clinical expertise with organizational leadership skills.

What are the pros and cons of choosing an associate over a bachelor’s degree in respiratory care?

Choosing between an associate’s and a bachelor’s degree in respiratory care is a trade-off between speed, cost, and career reach. On the positive side, the associate’s path offers fast entry—just 18.89 months on average—with solid earnings power. In 2024, respiratory therapists earned a median of $80,450, with higher earners passing the $100,000 mark. With 345 colleges offering programs nationwide, students also benefit from broad access to training.

However, there are limits. Some employers prefer candidates with a bachelor’s degree, especially for roles in management, education, or research. National standards and NBRC expectations highlight that while CRT and RRT certifications are attainable from an associate base, advanced roles increasingly align with higher levels of academic preparation. For students planning long careers, a bachelor’s may provide a smoother path into leadership or academic roles. Similarly, aspiring technicians interested in energy and sustainability can explore best online solar technician trade school programs to gain focused skills and accelerate entry into this growing field.

What are the current job outlook and growth projections for respiratory therapists?

The career outlook for respiratory therapists with an associate’s degree remains strong. Between 2023 and 2033, employment is projected to grow by 13%, which adds roughly 17,500 jobs nationwide and translates to about 8,200 openings per year. This demand is faster than average compared to all occupations, reflecting an aging population and ongoing respiratory health challenges.

Job opportunities aren’t spread evenly, though. States like West Virginia (LQ 1.84), Mississippi (1.64), Kentucky (1.62), Arkansas (1.54), and Ohio (1.27) show particularly high concentrations of respiratory therapist employment compared to the national average. This means new graduates may find stronger opportunities in these areas.

Together, the growth rate and regional concentration show that this field offers both stability and flexibility. Whether you stay local or consider relocating, demand for respiratory therapists ensures solid job security for the next decade.

What’s the typical day-to-day work life like for someone with this degree?

Respiratory therapists often work full-time schedules, and because 82% are employed in hospitals, night, weekend, and holiday shifts are common. Hospitals require 24/7 coverage, which makes flexible scheduling a core part of the job. New graduates in particular should expect rotations in busy departments such as emergency rooms, ICUs, and neonatal ICUs.

Outside the hospital, RTs may work in outpatient clinics, nursing care facilities, or provide home-based care, where schedules are typically steadier and less likely to include overnight hours. These roles may involve long-term monitoring, equipment checks, and patient education.

Daily tasks include evaluating patients, conducting diagnostic tests, managing oxygen or ventilators, and responding to emergencies. The variety keeps the role engaging but also requires resilience and adaptability. For those interested in starting a surgical career with flexible training options, programs like a surgical tech online certificate provide an accelerated path into operating room support roles.

Here's What Graduates Have to Say About Their Associate's Degree in Respiratory Care Therapy Program

Other Things You Should Know About an Associate's Degree in Respiratory Care Therapy

Do respiratory therapists work with specific age groups?

Yes. Respiratory therapists are trained to treat patients across the lifespan—from premature infants with underdeveloped lungs to older adults with chronic conditions like COPD. Because breathing difficulties occur at all stages of life, RTs often rotate between neonatal intensive care units, emergency rooms, and geriatric care facilities, depending on where demand is highest.

Is continuing education required after earning an associate’s degree?

Absolutely. While an associate’s degree qualifies graduates to sit for the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) exam, most therapists pursue the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential soon after. Additionally, many states mandate continuing education hours for license renewal. This ensures RTs remain current with evolving practices, especially in fast-changing areas like ventilator technology and pulmonary diagnostics.

Are respiratory care programs offered fully online?

Many schools now offer hybrid or fully online respiratory care programs, especially for the classroom components. Clinical rotations, however, must be completed in person at approved healthcare facilities. This mix allows students to benefit from the flexibility of online learning while still gaining hands-on experience in hospital and outpatient environments—an essential requirement for licensure and certification.

How physically demanding is respiratory therapy work?

The role can be physically and emotionally demanding. Respiratory therapists spend long hours on their feet, assist with moving patients, and respond to emergencies at unpredictable hours. Beyond physical exertion, they manage high-stress situations, such as ventilator crises in critical care. Despite these challenges, many RTs report strong job satisfaction because they see direct, life-changing impacts on patients.