There are currently an estimated 130,199 respiratory therapists in the United States. The respiratory therapist job market is expected to grow by 23.3% between 2016 and 2026.

How employable are respiratory therapists?

CareerExplorer rates respiratory therapists with a B- employability rating, meaning this career should provide good employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 32,701 respiratory therapists. That number is based on 30,401 additional respiratory therapists, and the retirement of 2,300 existing respiratory therapists.

What’s the supply of respiratory therapists?

The respiratory therapist industry is concentrated in California, Texas, Florida

Respiratory Therapist job market by state

State Name Employed Respiratory Therapists
California 17,530
Texas 11,280
Florida 8,500
Ohio 6,180
New York 5,750
Pennsylvania 5,550
Illinois 4,780
Michigan 4,270
Indiana 4,230
North Carolina 3,990
Georgia 3,880
Tennessee 3,510
New Jersey 3,000
Missouri 2,830
Virginia 2,520
Kentucky 2,510
Alabama 2,470
Massachusetts 2,470
Washington 2,350
Louisiana 2,220
Arizona 2,190
Wisconsin 1,940
Colorado 1,880
South Carolina 1,730
Minnesota 1,720
Mississippi 1,480
Maryland 1,450
Oregon 1,290
Connecticut 1,250
Oklahoma 1,250
Kansas 1,120
Nevada 1,080
Nebraska 1,000
Arkansas 970
Iowa 960
West Virginia 920
Utah 920
New Mexico 770
Puerto Rico 580
Idaho 580
Montana 460
Maine 440
Delaware 400
Hawaii 380
New Hampshire 370
South Dakota 350
District of Columbia 350
Rhode Island 320
North Dakota 310
Wyoming 210
Vermont 200
Alaska 160