Respiratory Therapists vs. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses: Who Earns More?
Respiratory Therapistss out-earn Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess by $18K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Respiratory Therapistss land at $82,280 and Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess at $64,400. The education gap is real: respiratory therapist programs typically require associate's degree, while licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse programs require postsecondary nondegree award. Top-paying state for Respiratory Therapistss is District of Columbia ($111,950); for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess it's Washington ($83,150).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Respiratory Therapists median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Respiratory Therapistss or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess?
Respiratory Therapistss earn more nationally. The median is $82,280 for Respiratory Therapistss versus $64,400 for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess, a difference of $18K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Respiratory Therapists or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?
BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.
Which requires more education, Respiratory Therapists or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?
Respiratory Therapists typically requires associate's degree. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses requires postsecondary nondegree award. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Respiratory Therapistss get paid the most?
District of Columbia is the top-paying state for Respiratory Therapistss at $111,950/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Respiratory Therapists vs. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In District of Columbia, Respiratory Therapistss earn $111,950 vs. $75,740 for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.