Side-by-side career matchup

Respiratory Therapist vs Radiology Technologist

Training time vs paycheck size: Respiratory Therapist and Radiology Technologist sit on opposite ends of that trade-off. Here's the math on when patience beats speed.

A Healthcare

Respiratory Therapist

$80,450 median

B Healthcare

Radiology Technologist

$77,660 median

What the day actually looks like

A Respiratory Therapist's shift centers on sustained patient management, often in critical care like the ICU or NICU. They manage ventilators, administer oxygen, perform pulmonary function tests, and educate patients with chronic conditions. A Radiology Technologist's day involves more structured, shorter patient interactions focused on operating diagnostic equipment like X-ray, CT, or MRI scanners. They prepare patients, ensure safety protocols, and produce clear images for radiologists to interpret.

Where each role is actually hiring

Demand for Respiratory Therapists is high in hospitals, particularly in critical care and neonatal units, driven by an aging population with chronic respiratory conditions. States with large populations like California, Texas, and Florida show concentrated demand. Radiology Technologists are sought in hospitals, outpatient imaging centers, and clinics. High-demand states also include California, Texas, and Florida, though some modalities like MRI are seeing a surplus of new graduates in these areas.

If you start as a Respiratory Therapist today

Transitioning between these fields requires a new degree program, as direct bridge programs are not standard. An RT wanting to become a Rad Tech would need to complete a radiography associate degree, a process of about two years. Some general education credits may transfer, but core coursework is distinct. Conversely, a Rad Tech could pursue a two-year associate degree in respiratory therapy. Both paths require passing new national certification exams to practice.

Sources cited (9)

payments Salary

Respiratory Therapist median

$80,450

Radiology Technologist median

$77,660

Salary edge

Pay is nearly identical — Respiratory Therapists earn a national median of $80,450 while radiology technologists earn $77,660. The gap is small enough that state and employer differences matter more than the career choice itself.

State-by-state pay

State	Respiratory Therapist	Radiology Technologist	Gap
California	$102,120	$107,670	-5,550
District of Columbia	$104,240	$99,080	+5,160
Massachusetts	$96,940	$99,910	-2,970
Oregon	$96,130	$99,530	-3,400
New York	$103,820	$91,520	+12,300
Hawaii	$94,670	$99,670	-5,000
Washington	$97,150	$93,920	+3,230
New Jersey	$98,020	$85,520	+12,500
Alaska	$94,210	$85,870	+8,340
Delaware	$87,380	$84,570	+2,810

checklist Requirements at a glance

Factor	Respiratory Therapist	Radiology Technologist
Typical time	2-4 years	2 years
Est. total cost	—	—
Exam	NBRC CRT or RRT exam	ARRT Radiography Examination
License required	Most states	Many states
Education	Associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program	Completion of an accredited radiologic technology program
CE hours / cycle	19 hrs	23 hrs

Barrier to entry

Timeline differs: Respiratory Therapist typically takes 2-4 years, while Radiology Technologist takes 2 years.

trending_up Job market

Respiratory Therapist growth

+12.1%

Radiology Technologist growth

+4.3%

Annual openings

Respiratory Therapist: 8,800

Radiology Technologist: 12,900

Respiratory Therapist AI exposure

Low -0.19

Radiology Technologist AI exposure

Low -0.56

Market outlook

Respiratory Therapist is projected to grow faster (+12.1% vs +4.3% over the next decade). Radiology Technologist carries lower AI automation risk, which matters for long-term career stability.

flag Bottom line

The salary gap between Respiratory Therapist and Radiology Technologist is smaller than most people assume — roughly $2,790 at the national median. Pick on fit and growth outlook; the pay math is close to a wash.

Respiratory Therapist is 2-4 years of training; Radiology Technologist is 2 years. The opportunity cost of the extra school time is often larger than people estimate, especially if you're already working.

The demand curves diverge: Respiratory Therapist is growing faster, which over 5-10 years translates to better wage negotiation, wider geographic opportunity, and less exposure to local downturns.

Frequently asked questions

Do respiratory therapists or radiology technologists earn more? expand_more

Respiratory Therapist has the higher median at $80,450/year. Radiology Technologist comes in at $77,660.

Is it harder to become a respiratory therapist or a radiology technologist? expand_more

Respiratory Therapist typically takes 2-4 years to complete, while Radiology Technologist takes 2 years. Difficulty also depends on exam pass rates and state-specific prerequisites.

How hard is it to switch between respiratory therapist and radiology technologist? expand_more

Many professionals transition between these roles. Some coursework or clinical hours may transfer, but you'll likely need additional training and a separate license. Check your state's specific requirements.

Which has better job prospects, respiratory therapist or radiology technologist? expand_more

The BLS projects +12.1% growth for Respiratory Therapists compared to +4.3% for Radiology Technologists through 2034. However, Radiology Technologist has more annual openings overall.

Which states require licenses for respiratory therapist vs. radiology technologist? expand_more

About 98% of states require respiratory therapist licensure and 86% require it for radiology technologists. State-by-state requirements differ significantly.