Respiratory Technicians

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) does not provide an employment outlook for respiratory technicians, but it does report that job opportunities for respiratory therapists are expected to grow much faster than the average for all careers through 2033. "Growth in the older adult population will lead to an increased prevalence of respiratory conditions such as pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other disorders that restrict lung function," according to the DOL. "This, in turn, will lead to increased demand for respiratory therapy services and treatments, mostly in hospitals. Other respiratory conditions that affect people of all ages, such as problems due to smoking and air pollution or those arising from emergencies, will continue to create demand."In addition, the field of neonatal care has been growing, and there are continuing advances in treatments for victims of heart attacks and accidents and for premature babies.