Why a Respiratory Therapy Degree Is in High Demand Today

Maybe you’ve decided to go into respiratory therapy for personal reasons, or you feel you could have a lucrative career by earning a respiratory therapy degree. Fortunately, individuals with this educational background are in demand. If you’re curious as to why, let’s discuss what the current climate of respiratory care looks like and why skilled professionals are needed in this field.

General Information

As of 2024, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that there were 139,600 positions for respiratory therapists. The number of jobs for these individuals is expected to grow by 12 percent by 2034. The BLS states that these positions are growing much faster than average. This growth is equivalent to 16,800.

To put this into perspective, jobs for other healthcare professionals involved with diagnosing and treating are only expected to grow by eight percent. On the other hand, the average job is only expected to grow by three percent over the same time span.

Individuals interested in pursuing a career in this field will usually work in a local, state, or private hospital, like 80 percent of respiratory therapists do. Though it’s not as much, some nursing care facilities and physicians’ offices hire for this role as well. The BLS didn’t mention it, but there’s also a need for these professionals in sleep centers.

Why Those with a Respiratory Therapy Degree Are in Demand

Times may be changing, and the needs for individuals in certain fields are starting to diminish; this isn’t the case for those who earn a degree in respiratory therapy for several reasons.

Increased Aging Population

People are living longer, which means an increase in the aging population. Boomers, those born between 1946 and 1964, are now between 60 and 80 years old as of 2025, causing a spike in the elderly population.

All these older adults are vulnerable to respiratory infections and chronic conditions. Therefore, this surge in the aged population is driving the need for respiratory therapists.

That vulnerability also underscores the importance of practical safety measures for older adults who live independently. In addition to clinical care, many families turn to personal emergency response options that provide 24/7 monitoring and automatic fall detection to bridge gaps between visits.

Devices such as Life Assure medical alert systems canada can help ensure quick access to help whether a senior is at home or out running errands, complementing the ongoing work of respiratory therapists. Integrating these tools into a care plan can reduce response times in emergencies and give both patients and caregivers greater peace of mind.

Heightened Rates of Chronic Illness

The number of people who suffer from emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and other chronic respiratory conditions is on the rise.

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Vaping and Smoking Popularity

Perhaps it’s from the increase in vaping, which is a known cause of asthma and COPD.

Despite the dangers of smoking becoming more well-known and the number of people smoking declining, nearly 20 percent of U.S. adults still smoke, which is keeping some rates of chronic disease high.

Increase in Air Pollution

Air pollution exposure, such as smoke from wildfires, vehicle exhaust, and industrial emissions, increases your risk of respiratory illness — both acute and chronic.

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Advancements in Neonatal Care

And while the medical field has advanced to the point where more and more premature infants are surviving — and earlier than ever before, it’s leading to more babies being born with immature lungs and potentially long-term respiratory complications.

Rise in Acute Respiratory Illness

Another factor to consider is the increase in acute respiratory illness and the severity of them. Let’s take the COVID pandemic back in 2020. Respiratory therapy specialists were needed to manage the infection, run ventilators, and help as many patients as possible survive.

Keep in mind the U.S. recently experienced three cases of tuberculosis — a serious bacterial infection that commonly affects the lungs in Maine. In fact, the U.S. has seen an eight percent increase in cases between 2023 and 2024 alone.​

For various reasons, jobs for individuals with a respiratory therapy degree are in demand and expected to grow over time. From the rise in the aging population to the increase in vaping to a rise in chronic and acute illness, you’ll find that you have job stability when you choose this field, especially as the number of jobs rises.