Respiratory Therapists vs. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses: Who Earns More?
Respiratory Therapists out-earn Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses by $18K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Respiratory Therapists land at $82,280 and Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses 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 Therapists is District of Columbia ($111,950); for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses 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 Therapists or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?
Respiratory Therapists earn more nationally. The median is $82,280 for Respiratory Therapists versus $64,400 for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses, a difference of $18K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Respiratory Therapists or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?
Respiratory Therapists has the better 10-year outlook at 12.1% projected growth, compared to 2.6% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
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 Therapists get paid the most?
District of Columbia is the top-paying state for Respiratory Therapists 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 Therapists earn $111,950 vs. $75,740 for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.