Respiratory Therapists vs. Registered Nurses: Who Earns More?
Registered Nurses out-earn Respiratory Therapists by $15K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Respiratory Therapists land at $82,280 and Registered Nurses at $97,550. The education gap is real: respiratory therapist programs typically require associate's degree, while registered nurse programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Respiratory Therapists is District of Columbia ($111,950); for Registered Nurses it's California ($140,270).
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 Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses earn more nationally. The median is $82,280 for Respiratory Therapists versus $97,550 for Registered Nurses, a difference of $15K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Respiratory Therapists or Registered Nurses?
Respiratory Therapists has the better 10-year outlook at 12.1% projected growth, compared to 4.9% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Respiratory Therapists or Registered Nurses?
Respiratory Therapists typically requires associate's degree. Registered Nurses requires bachelor's degree. 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. Registered Nurses pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In District of Columbia, Respiratory Therapists earn $111,950 vs. $102,540 for Registered Nurses. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.