Respiratory Therapist Job Market Overview (2026)
The Respiratory Therapist job market is steadily growing, with 1,136 open positions tracked across 20 cities worldwide. In the past 30 days alone, 266 new positions were posted (59 in the last week), indicating strong and consistent demand from employers.
Compensation Landscape
The median salary for Respiratory Therapist positions is $67,000, with the middle 50% of earners making between $56,750 and $76,000. Top earners (90th percentile) command $76,000 or more. Note that 96% of listings do not disclose salary, so actual compensation may differ in some markets. The highest-paying city is Washington DC at $77,500 median, while New Haven, CT offers $20,000.
Skills That Get You Hired
Based on analysis of job descriptions, the most in-demand skills for Respiratory Therapist roles are Patient Care, BLS, Nursing, CPR, HIPAA, and OSHA. Including these keywords in your resume and cover letter can significantly improve your ATS match rate and interview chances.
How to Apply
Start by reviewing our Respiratory Therapist resume example to see what top candidates include. Pair it with a strong cover letter tailored to your target company. Then use JobsChat AI to search all 1,136 positions and get matched based on your experience, preferred location, and salary expectations.