Career comparison
Paramedic vs. Respiratory Therapist
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Respiratory therapists earn more at the median ($82,280 vs. $60,600), while paramedics usually get to work faster (12–24 months of training). Paramedics provide advanced emergency medical care on scene and on the way to the hospital. Respiratory therapists help patients breathe, from asthma treatments to managing ventilators in the ICU.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Paramedic | Respiratory Therapist | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $60,600 ($29.13/hr) | $82,280 ($39.56/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $44,230 – $84,850 | $63,660 – $118,050 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +5.7% (faster than average) | +8.5% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 4,300 | 8,600 |
| Typical entry education | Postsecondary nondegree award | Associate's degree |
| Training time | 12–24 months | 2 years |
| Key credential | National Registry Paramedic (NRP) | Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) |
| Work setting | Paramedics work in ambulances, homes, roadways, public places and hospitals, in all weather and at all hours. | Most respiratory therapists work in hospitals, especially ICUs, emergency departments and neonatal units. |
What each job does
Paramedic
- Respond to emergency calls and assess patients on scene
- Provide advanced airway management
- Interpret cardiac rhythms and 12-lead ECGs
- Start IV and IO lines and give medications
- Treat trauma, cardiac, respiratory and medical emergencies
Respiratory Therapist
- Assess patients’ breathing, oxygen levels and lung sounds
- Give aerosol, inhaler and oxygen therapy
- Set up, monitor and adjust mechanical ventilators
- Draw and analyze arterial blood gases
- Respond to codes, rapid responses and intubations
How they’re similar
Both careers involve helping others, working with people, hands-on work, and a fast pace. Both are part of the healthcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose paramedic if…
- I stay calm and think clearly in emergencies
- I want to make fast decisions that matter
- I’m comfortable with blood and serious injuries
Choose respiratory therapist if…
- I want to help people in critical situations
- I like science and physiology
- I can stay calm during emergencies
Still torn? Take the Paramedic fit quiz and the Respiratory Therapist fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, paramedic or respiratory therapist?
Respiratory Therapists earn more at the median: $82,280 versus $60,600 for paramedics, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Paramedics typically train faster (12–24 months) than respiratory therapists (2 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects respiratory therapists to grow +8.5% from 2025–35, compared with +5.7% for paramedics.