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Radiologic Technologists vs Respiratory Therapists

Median pay is about $2k higher for Respiratory Therapists. Both usually start with the same education: associate's.

marks the higher pay or growth. Education, difficulty and the AI rows depend on what you want, so they are not marked.

Radiologic Technologists compared with Respiratory Therapists: pay, outlook, entry and AI exposure
MeasureRadiologic TechnologistsRespiratory Therapists
Pay
Median pay$80,110$82,280, higher
Entry pay 25th percentile$64,810$74,520, higher
Experienced pay 75th percentile$98,750, higher$98,730
Outlook, 2025 to 2035
Projected growth+5.0% Growing fast+8.5% Growing fast, higher
Openings a year13,0008,600
Getting in
Typical educationAssociate'sAssociate's
Difficulty modeled2.6 / 53 / 5
AI
Displacement risk modeledLowLow
AI exposure modeled, percentile25th pct41st pct

Where the skills differ

Only Radiologic Technologists

  • Writing

Only Respiratory Therapists

  • Active Learning

Both lean on active listening, reading comprehension, speaking, monitoring, critical thinking.

More comparisons

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Pay and outlook: BLS (OEWS 2025, Employment Projections 2025-2035). Skills: O*NET 30.3. Difficulty, displacement risk and AI exposure are modeled estimates. How these numbers are made.