Respiratory Therapists vs. Registered Nurses: Who Earns More?
Registered Nursess out-earn Respiratory Therapistss by $15K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Respiratory Therapistss land at $82,280 and Registered Nursess 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 Therapistss is District of Columbia ($111,950); for Registered Nursess 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 Therapistss or Registered Nursess?
Registered Nursess earn more nationally. The median is $82,280 for Respiratory Therapistss versus $97,550 for Registered Nursess, a difference of $15K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Respiratory Therapists or Registered 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 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 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. Registered Nurses pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In District of Columbia, Respiratory Therapistss earn $111,950 vs. $102,540 for Registered Nursess. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.