The Importance of Pursuing a Respiratory Therapy Degree or Respiratory Therapist Program in Today’s Healthcare System

To provide complete care for the patient, experts in different parts of the body are needed for optimal outcomes. That said, like other areas of the healthcare field, respiratory therapy is an in-demand discipline. So if you’re considering becoming a respiratory therapist, know that you’d be choosing a career with strong growth prospects. In fact, respiratory therapist programs will prepare you for every aspect of the role, especially if you compare your options carefully.

The Post-Pandemic World Showcased the Need

Look back to 2019 and 2020… The pandemic caught everyone off guard. The U.S. hadn’t had a pandemic of that magnitude since the early 1900s with the Spanish flu. There was the H1N1 flu after, but it didn’t hit the U.S. that hard, so no special precautions were taken. However, when COVID-19 reached the U.S., each state took it upon itself to implement measures to mitigate the spread.

While all that was going on, hospitals throughout the country were seeing overcrowding. And you know who were on the frontlines during this event, besides nurses, doctors, and CNAs, that is? Respiratory therapists! These professionals were needed to manage cases, especially with 30 to 40 percent of patients needing ventilators who required hospitalization.

Though the U.S. eventually was able to recover, and the virus now spreads during respiratory illness season like any other one, people are now well aware of the importance of respiratory therapists. And if one should ever happen again, these individuals will need to step up.

The Aging Population Is Making Respiratory Therapists More Relevant

Boomers are between the ages of 60 and 80 years old right now, as of 09/2025. This equates to approximately 76 million individuals. As they age, respiratory ailments like COPD and emphysema are possible. Because they may suffer from other health conditions, they’re also more vulnerable to complications from respiratory illnesses. With this group reaching their golden years, it’s safe to say that respiratory therapists will be needed for their care.

Even Statistics Are Showing Industry Growth

When you look at employment statistics, you’ll see that jobs in this area of medicine are expected to grow much faster than average. From 2024 until 2034, the BLS projects jobs will rise by 12 percent, which is an increase of 16,800 jobs.

Be a Person Who’s Saving Lives

Not all jobs are created equally. As you’re choosing, you need to think about what your priorities are for a career. For instance, let’s say you considered a business management degree program because you know there was earning potential there.

However, maybe you realize that your top priority isn’t banking as much money as you can. You’d much rather do something of value and just live comfortably.

A career in respiratory therapy gives you the option to make a difference in the lives of others, potentially saving many lives along the way. Plus, you can earn a lucrative salary at the same time. The BLS actually states that the average respiratory therapist earns $80,450 each year.

Various Facilities Require These Specialists

Certain jobs are specific about where a person can work, such as a pilot who can only fly planes either for private citizens or airlines. While these individuals have positions available, they’re limited to a narrow range of employers.

Respiratory therapy degrees open the doors to a range of opportunities in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, home health agencies, sleep labs, and outpatient care centers. You can choose between working in a non-urgent or emergency setting, depending on your desires and goals.

Opportunity for Growth

This is more important to you than the industry… but there is an opportunity for growth and specialization. Therefore, you can set goals and work toward improvement in the field.

For one, you can choose to specialize in sleep medicine, critical care, or neonatal care. When you choose to specialize, you increase your odds of solidifying a job in this area because you have skills that others don’t. Not to mention, specializing gives you the option to take on leadership roles.

Besides the opportunities for respiratory therapists who work one-on-one with patients, you have other opportunities as well, such as to become a senior or lead respiratory therapist. In this position, you not only help patients, but you also monitor and train new respiratory therapists. Experience and training can also give you the chance to work your way up to manager or supervisor of an entire department. You could choose to transition into a role in education, training, or research and development as well.

Today, it’s not just about finding a job; it’s about establishing a career, one that makes a difference. Individuals who are considering pursuing respiratory therapist degrees should recognize the importance of this field nowadays. You’re making a difference, entering a field that’s in need of knowledgeable individuals, and reaping the reward of an attractive salary and room for advancement.