Armando Said:

What is the starting salary for a respiratory therapist with a bachelor's degree?

We Answered:

http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=…

Leo Said:

How important is it for Respiratory Therapist to have BA instead of AA degree? Or does it matter?

We Answered:

I find a bachelors in RT to be a waste ... I still find it important to at least get a bachelors, but get it in something that will provide your a broader scope of employment opportunities ... the BS in RT limits you compared to say a BA in Marketing or Finance, Education, etc

Angela Said:

How much does a respiratory therapist with an associates degree make?

We Answered:

An R.T. friend of mine said to expect anywhere between $14-$18 an hour. In some cities it is more.

Erika Said:

What is the salary for a respiratory therapist with Associates degree? ?

We Answered:

Where I live 15 to 25+dollars an hour (hospital based) depending on certification--CRT, RRT, CPFT, NPS, AE-C, etc, shift diff, ACLS/PAL/nals, transport team, overtime, etc. Also traveling therapist make more. Their is also comminsion if working in dme or pharm sales. Pretty much everyone has an AAS degree where I live. If they have other degrees they are not in resp

Email me if you hav emore questions.



http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=…

Jared Said:

Can you make good money with an Associate of Science degree for Respiratory therapist?

We Answered:

One must have, at least, an associate's degree to work as a respiratory therapist, but most programs that train people to work in this field offer bachelor's degrees as well. Respiratory therapy programs can be found at colleges, medical schools, vocational schools, and in the Armed Forces. Master's degrees are also offered in this field. Respiratory therapy students will take many science-oriented courses including human anatomy and physiology, physics and microbiology. They will also learn about therapeutic and diagnostic procedures, patient assessment and medical record keeping and reimbursement.

Certified Respiratory Therapists in the U.S. can make from $43,081 to $50,981 depending on such factors such as employer size, industry, employee credentials, and years of experience and others.

Keith Said:

I am debating between 2 degree plans,Surgical Technologist or Respiratory Therapist. Any help please?

We Answered:

You may want to look into what positions are available right now. You cannot find a full time Respiratory job in the state of Louisiana right now. Back in August, our local college graduated 15 resp therapists and only 3 of them were able to find part time jobs. I know one of them personally and he and the rest of them still can find a job still. Surgery techs are the same way. So you may want to look into what is in higher demand in your area. I would hate to see you go through all of that education and not have a job when you are done.

Respiartory therapists stay really busy...they work OB (there for deliveries..Natural and sections---they suction the baby's nose when they are fresh out and run cord blood gas through an ABG machine), they draw ABG's(arterial blood gas) from people, they work the ER and are one of the first ones there for critical situations such as a wreck, gun shots, Over-dose, heart attack, drowning etc...

They give breathing treatments on the regular floors and ICU...they can do electrocardiograms (EKG's)...they operate the ventilators when someone is on it.... they instructs patients on how to do an incentive spirometer post surgery....resp therapist go to codes....There is so much more that I have not listed.

Surgery techs pass the instruments during surgery and are sort of the gophers during procedures. Not too sure of exactly everything they do. Maybe you can ask a question in here to find out what they do.

In the end...it all is how much you like to do and what type of things you are comfortable with.

Allan Said:

will i find a job as easy with a respiratory therapist Associate's degree...Still consider an RT right?

We Answered:

Matt is correct.

You would get your associates degree and then sit for the exams. The CRT exam is the more basic and needs to be done first. You can not work without having this credential.

The advanced exam is the RRT exam and the National Board for Respiratory Care is "encouraging" all therapists to become RRTs and they give you a certain amount of time (I think its 2 yrs, but I cant remember) to sit for and pass the RRT exam.

Im pretty sure you will have no problem finding a job. RTs are in demand almost everywhere. Ive moved several times and have had no problem getting a job whatsoever :) Good luck!