by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 19 U.S. colleges awarded 258 degrees and certificates in Respiratory Therapy Technician/Assistant. Associate degrees are the most popular award, at 66% of graduates. College Factual ranks 13 schools in its 2027 Best Respiratory Therapy Technician/Assistant Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $27,519 one year after completing, rising to $35,634 after four years.
A major in Respiratory Therapy Technician/Assistant explores Respiratory Therapy Technician/assistant. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Administer General Respiratory Care Procedures Under The Supervision Of Respiratory Therapists In A Variety Of Clinical Settings. Includes Instruction In Patient Data Collection And Monitoring, Airway Management, Installation Of Nebulizers And Other Respiratory Assistance Devices, Application And Monitoring Of Breathing Gases, Equipment Operation And Maintenance, Safety And Sanitation Procedures, And Applicable Regulations.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, respiratory therapy technician/assistant is a popular field of study, with 258 degrees awarded annually. 19 colleges award respiratory therapy technician/assistant degrees, an average of 14 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 31.
By level, the 258 awards include 34 certificates, 170 associate degrees and 54 bachelor’s degrees.
Women earned 70% of respiratory therapy technician/assistant degrees and certificates in the latest year (181 of 258). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (121) and Black or African American (45), and international students earned 2.
College Factual ranks 13 schools in its 2027 Best Respiratory Therapy Technician/Assistant Schools ranking, including 10 for associate degrees and 2 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks respiratory therapy technician/assistant schools within 11 states. In all, 19 colleges offer respiratory therapy technician/assistant programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Respiratory Therapy Technician/Assistant Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common respiratory therapy technician/assistant credential is the associate degree: 170 of the 258 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to respiratory therapy technician/assistant call most for Active Listening, Speaking and Social Perceptiveness, and for knowledge of Customer and Personal Service, Medicine and Dentistry and English Language, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Near Vision.
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How long a respiratory therapy technician/assistant degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 34 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 170 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 54 |
High school diploma or equivalent is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to respiratory therapy technician/assistant, at 22.1%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 22.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 21.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 18.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 15.4% |
| Master’s degree | 9.9% |
| Some college courses | 8.6% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.5% |
Source: O*NET Online.
4 occupations are related to Respiratory Therapy Technician/Assistant, with an average median salary of $109,124; the strongest outlook belongs to Neurodiagnostic Technologists, at 14.1% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Medical Technologist, Polysomnographic Technologist, Admitting Representative and Clinical Liaison.
The occupation related to respiratory therapy technician/assistant with the most projected jobs is Patient Representatives, at 3,368,169.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Patient Representatives | 3,368,169 | 4.8% |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | 3,206,816 | 12.2% |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technologists | 2,908,248 | 9.4% |
| Neurodiagnostic Technologists | 1,852,560 | 14.1% |
Respiratory Therapy Technician/Assistant graduates earn a median $27,519 one year after completing their program, $35,634 after four years and $32,689 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $27,519 |
| 4 years | $35,634 |
| 5 years | $32,689 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to respiratory therapy technician/assistant is Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other, with a median salary of $153,940.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $153,940 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technologists | $153,819 |
| Neurodiagnostic Technologists | $81,316 |
| Patient Representatives | $47,419 |
Respiratory Therapy Technician/Assistant has 12 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 84,057 degrees a year; the largest are Medical/Clinical Assistant (55,276), Pharmacy Technician/Assistant (8,060) and Physical Therapy Assistant (5,489). Browse all Health Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Medical/Clinical Assistant | 55,276 |
| Pharmacy Technician/Assistant | 8,060 |
| Physical Therapy Assistant | 5,489 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services, Other | 4,386 |
| Emergency Care Attendant (EMT Ambulance) | 4,277 |
| Occupational Therapist Assistant | 3,204 |
| Radiologist Assistant | 1,676 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Assistant | 663 |
| Anesthesiologist Assistant | 497 |
| Speech-Language Pathology Assistant | 304 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
