Hiring guide · Healthcare
How to Hire a Respiratory Therapist
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring respiratory therapists, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $82,280), recruit through community college and vocational program career centers, verify Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for respiratory therapists
There are about 142,000 respiratory therapists employed in the U.S., with roughly 8,600 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +8.5% from 2025–35 (much faster than average). Expect competition for qualified candidates: speed and a strong offer matter.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $63,660–$74,520 | $30.61–$35.83 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $82,280 | $39.56 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $98,730 | $47.47 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $118,050 | $56.75 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- Associate's degree (typical entry level)
- Licensing or certification required in your state
- Mechanical ventilation management
- Calm under pressure
Nice-to-haves
- Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)
- Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT)
- ACLS, PALS and NRP
- Experience with mechanical ventilators
Where to find respiratory therapists
- Community college and vocational program career centers
- Clinical externship and student-placement partnerships
- State nurse aide registries and healthcare job boards
- Employee referral programs
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: Registered Respiratory Therapist, RRT, Respiratory Care Practitioner, RT
Screening checklist
- Verify certifications and state registry or license status with the issuing body
- Background checks and federal exclusion-list (OIG LEIE) screening as required for your organization
- Immunization records, TB testing and drug screening according to policy and law
- Current BLS/CPR certification
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “Describe a time you handled a respiratory emergency.”
What a strong answer includes: Use a structured story with your actions and the outcome.
2. “How would you respond to a high-pressure ventilator alarm?”
What a strong answer includes: Mention checking the patient first, then secretions, kinks and tube position.
3. “How do you interpret an ABG?”
What a strong answer includes: Walk through pH, PaCO2 and HCO3 step by step.
4. “How do you teach a patient to use an inhaler?”
What a strong answer includes: Describe demonstrating, teach-back and checking technique.
5. “Which credentials do you hold?”
What a strong answer includes: List CRT/RRT and life-support certifications.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Give a Nebulizer Treatment (see the steps)
- Perform a Ventilator Check (see the steps)
- Draw an Arterial Blood Gas (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as ABG, SpO2, FiO2
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Respiratory Therapist 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Respiratory Therapist training. Show them the path forward: Student Respiratory Therapist → Staff Respiratory Therapist → Critical Care or Neonatal Specialist → Lead Therapist, Educator or Department Manager.
Hiring respiratory therapists: FAQ
How much should I pay a respiratory therapist?
The U.S. median wage for respiratory therapists is $82,280 per year ($39.56/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($74,520), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($98,730). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should a respiratory therapist have?
BLS lists “associate's degree” as the typical entry-level education. Look for Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) and Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) where relevant, plus skills such as mechanical ventilation management, arterial blood gas sampling and interpretation, and aerosol and oxygen therapy.
How long does it take to train a new respiratory therapist?
Becoming qualified typically takes 2 years. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “none.”