Respiratory Therapists

Employment for respiratory therapists is expected to grow much faster than the average for all careers through 2029, by about 19 percent, according to the Department of Labor, as a result of the growing middle-aged and elderly population with respiratory conditions such as chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, emphysema, pneumonia, and other disorders. The increasing demand for respiratory therapists is the result of other factors also. One recent factor contributing to growth in the respiratory therapy field is the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, with many COVID patients experiencing respiratory problems and other medical issues. More respiratory therapists are needed in hospitals to meet the increasing demand for respiratory therapy and treatment. The field of neonatal care is also growing, and there are continuing advances in treatments for victims of heart attacks and accidents and for premature babies.

Employment opportunities for respiratory therapists should be very favorable in the rapidly growing field of home health care (where employment is expected to grow by 34 percent through 2029), although this area accounts for only a small number of respiratory therapy jobs. In addition to jobs in home health agencies and hospital-based home health programs, there should be numerous openings for respiratory therapists in equipment rental companies and in firms that provide respiratory care on a contract basis. In addition, employment is expected to grow due to respiratory therapists' increasing role in case management, disease prevention, emergency care, and the early detection of pulmonary disorders.