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ICU & emergency

Respiratory Therapist

The person they page when someone stops breathing.

Typical pay

$60k-$95k

How you get in

2-year associate plus the NBRC credential

Outlook

Strong; chronic shortage since the pandemic

Respiratory therapists manage ventilators, airways and breathing treatments across the hospital. Two years of school puts you in the ICU during the worst moments, with real clinical autonomy.

A day in the life

  1. 6:45aShift report, review vent settings across the unit
  2. 7:30aMorning treatments and blood gas draws
  3. 9:30aRounds with the ICU team, adjust ventilator support
  4. 12:00pLunch, interrupted by a rapid response
  5. 1:00pIntubation assist in the ED
  6. 6:00pWean a patient off the vent, chart everything

How to get in

Associate degree

Duration

2 years

Cost

$8,000-$30,000

Credential

Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) via the NBRC

  1. Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program
  2. Finish clinical rotations across ICU, ED and floors
  3. Pass the NBRC exams for the RRT credential
  4. Get state licensed and start, often on nights

Bachelor's degree

Duration

4 years

Cost

$40,000-$120,000

Credential

BS plus RRT

  1. Complete a four-year respiratory care program
  2. Earn the same RRT credential
  3. Enter with a faster path to management, education or research
  4. Not required for bedside work — the associate is the standard

Add specialty credentials

Duration

Ongoing after the RRT

Cost

$300-$2,000 per credential

Credential

NPS, ACCS or RRT-SDS specialty certifications

  1. Work as an RRT and build clinical hours
  2. Add neonatal-pediatric or adult critical care specialty credentials
  3. Move into NICU, transport or sleep medicine
  4. Specialty pay is the main way past the salary plateau

What people love

  • · Two-year degree into critical care
  • · Real clinical autonomy and respect
  • · Three-day work weeks are common
  • · Every hospital needs them

What wears people down

  • · Codes and deaths are routine
  • · Nights, weekends and holidays
  • · Physically constant — you cover the whole building
  • · Pay plateaus without moving into management

From people doing it

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