Respiratory therapists (RTs) are the healthcare heroes working on the front lines of breathing care — treating patients from premature newborns with undeveloped lungs to older adults managing chronic lung disease. Let's take a closer look at what respiratory therapists do and what the travel respiratory therapist job outlook looks like for this in-demand specialty heading into 2026 and beyond.
- Where do respiratory therapists work?
- What does a respiratory therapist do?
- How much does a respiratory therapist make?
- What is the job outlook for a respiratory therapist?
Where do respiratory therapists work?
Respiratory therapists work in a wide range of healthcare settings — and that variety is one of the things that makes this career so appealing.
The majority of RTs work in hospitals, where they may be found in the intensive care unit (ICU), emergency department, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), or general medical floors. In the ICU, respiratory therapists manage patients on mechanical ventilators and respond to life-threatening breathing emergencies. In the NICU, they provide specialized care to premature infants whose lungs haven't fully developed. In the emergency department, they're often the first responders when a patient comes in struggling to breathe.
Beyond hospital walls, respiratory therapists are increasingly working in:
Outpatient clinics and physician offices, where they help patients manage chronic conditions like asthma and COPD through ongoing therapy and education.
Home health settings, where they visit patients in their homes to provide respiratory treatments, set up oxygen equipment, and monitor progress.
Sleep disorder centers, where they perform and interpret sleep studies for patients with conditions like sleep apnea.
Long-term care and skilled nursing facilities, where they support elderly residents with chronic respiratory conditions.
Pulmonary rehabilitation centers, where they design and lead exercise and education programs to help patients regain lung function.
For travel respiratory therapists specifically, hospital assignments — especially in ICU and critical care settings — make up the largest share of available contracts. But the flexibility of this career means travel RTs can find assignments across many different settings and specialties nationwide.
What does a respiratory therapist do?
Respiratory therapists assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders and cardiopulmonary conditions. Their patient population is incredibly broad: a single shift might involve treating a premature infant in the NICU, managing a ventilated patient in the ICU, and educating a patient with newly diagnosed COPD on how to use an inhaler.
More specific day-to-day responsibilities of a respiratory therapist include:
Performing diagnostic tests such as pulmonary function tests, arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis, and spirometry to evaluate lung capacity and function.
Initiating, managing, and weaning patients from mechanical ventilators.
Administering aerosol medications, including bronchodilators and mucolytics, through nebulizers and metered-dose inhalers.
Performing chest physiotherapy to help loosen and clear secretions from the lungs.
Assisting with intubation and airway management during emergencies.
Responding to code blue and rapid response situations throughout the hospital.
Providing neonatal resuscitation and managing respiratory distress in newborns.
Educating patients and families about respiratory conditions, treatment plans, and at-home breathing techniques.
Collaborating with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare team members to develop and adjust patient care plans.
Because of the critical nature of respiratory care, RTs must hold specific credentials to practice. Graduates of accredited respiratory therapy programs earn the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential through the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). Most clinical positions — especially travel roles — require the advanced Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential, along with Basic Life Support (BLS) and, for critical care roles, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification. Some travel assignments also require the Neonatal-Pediatric Specialist (NPS) credential for NICU or pediatric placements. Not sure which credential is right for you? Check out CRT or RRT: Everything You Need to Know About Respiratory Therapists for a full breakdown.
How much does a respiratory therapist make?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for respiratory therapists was $80,450 as of May 2024. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $61,900, while the highest 10 percent earned more than $108,820. That range shifts based on experience, credentials, location, and care setting.
Travel respiratory therapist roles have the potential to earn significantly more. Based on current job market data, travel RTs typically earn between $2,000 and $3,500 per week depending on assignment location and specialty area — with critical care and NICU-focused contracts often landing at the higher end of that range. For RTs willing to take assignments in high-demand or rural areas, earning potential climbs even further. Travelers with Fusion also have access to additional earning opportunities through FuseClub Rewards and our referral bonus program.
Specialization matters too. RTs with advanced credentials like the NPS, RRT-NPS, or RRT-ACCS (Adult Critical Care Specialist) can command higher compensation across both staff and travel roles. Like many healthcare careers, where you practice also plays a significant role — states like California and Washington tend to offer higher wages than the national median, while cost of living remains a factor in take-home earnings.
What is the job outlook for a respiratory therapist?
Great news for current and aspiring RTs: the respiratory therapist job market is strong and growing fast. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of respiratory therapists is projected to grow 12 percent from 2024 to 2034 — much faster than the average for all occupations. That growth translates to approximately 8,800 job openings per year on average over the decade.
And it's not just strong growth projections making headlines. U.S. News & World Report ranked Respiratory Therapist #12 overall and #4 among all healthcare careers on their 2026 Best Jobs list — recognizing the combination of strong hiring demand, competitive wages, job stability, and work-life balance the profession offers.
Several converging factors are fueling this demand for respiratory therapists:
An aging population. As the U.S. population gets older, the prevalence of respiratory conditions like COPD, pneumonia, and chronic lung disease rises. The CDC reports that 16 million adults in the U.S. are currently living with COPD — and that number continues to grow. Older adults are the primary drivers of increased demand for respiratory therapy services in hospitals, nursing homes, and outpatient settings.
Rising rates of respiratory disease. Conditions like asthma and COPD affect tens of millions of Americans, and long-term respiratory complications from COVID-19 have added to the patient population requiring ongoing respiratory care.
Advances in treatment and technology. Improved survival rates for premature infants, accident victims, and patients with cystic fibrosis have increased the number of patients who need respiratory therapy over their lifetimes.
A focus on reducing hospital readmissions. Healthcare systems are prioritizing outpatient respiratory care and education to keep patients out of the hospital — creating more demand for RTs in clinics, home health, and physician offices.
A wave of retirements. Like many allied health professions, respiratory therapy is seeing a significant portion of its experienced workforce approach retirement age, creating consistent replacement demand on top of growth-driven openings.
All of this adds up to exceptional opportunity for respiratory therapists — and an especially strong market for travel RTs. With growing demand nationwide, healthcare facilities are increasingly turning to travel staffing solutions to fill critical gaps quickly, which means more assignment options, competitive pay packages, and career development opportunities for RTs ready to explore. Learn more about the benefits that come with traveling with Fusion.
Ready to take the next step? If you're new to healthcare travel, our step-by-step guide to getting started is a great place to begin — and when you're ready, find out how traveling as a respiratory therapist can boost your career. Browse travel RRT jobs and travel CRT jobs with Fusion Medical Staffing and start your next adventure.
