Respiratory Therapists
SOC Code: 29-1126 Job Zone 3: Medium Preparation Needed
Assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders. Assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care modalities, including the supervision of respiratory therapy technicians. Initiate and conduct therapeutic procedures; maintain patient records; and select, assemble, check, and operate equipment.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Respiratory Therapists. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $111,426 | $125,965 | $140,504 | $155,043 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $98,301 | $113,922 | $129,522 | $145,142 |
| Vallejo, CA | $95,056 | $111,114 | $127,150 | $143,208 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $95,930 | $111,072 | $126,235 | $141,378 |
| Salinas, CA | $83,845 | $102,003 | $120,182 | $138,341 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $92,310 | $105,851 | $119,371 | $132,912 |
| Napa, CA | $87,755 | $102,419 | $117,104 | $131,768 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $88,379 | $102,690 | $117,021 | $131,331 |
| Yuba City, CA | $86,861 | $100,422 | $113,963 | $127,525 |
| Modesto, CA | $80,995 | $94,203 | $107,390 | $120,598 |
H-1B Filing Data
Top H-1B Employers
| Employer | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY BAPTIST MEDICAL CENTER | 1 | $92,570 |
Filing Trend
| Year | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | $92,570 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Active Listening | 3.9 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.9 | |
| Monitoring | 3.9 | |
| Speaking | 3.8 | |
| Active Learning | 3.6 | |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.6 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.6 | |
| Service Orientation | 3.6 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.4 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.4 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Customer and Personal Service | 4.3 |
| Medicine and Dentistry | 4.3 |
| English Language | 3.9 |
| Education and Training | 3.7 |
| Psychology | 3.4 |
| Biology | 3.2 |
| Computers and Electronics | 3.2 |
| Chemistry | 3.1 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Associate's degree | 82.8% |
| Bachelor's degree | 11.7% |
| Some college | 5.2% |
Typical Tasks
- Set up and operate devices, such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, or aerosol generators, following specified parameters of treatment.
- Provide emergency care, such as artificial respiration, external cardiac massage, or assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
- Determine requirements for treatment, such as type, method and duration of therapy, precautions to be taken, or medication and dosages, compatible with physicians' orders.
- Monitor patient's physiological responses to therapy, such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, or blood chemistry changes, and consult with physician if adverse reactions occur.
- Read prescription, measure arterial blood gases, and review patient information to assess patient condition.
- Enforce safety rules and ensure careful adherence to physicians' orders.
- Maintain charts that contain patients' pertinent identification and therapy information.
- Inspect, clean, test, and maintain respiratory therapy equipment to ensure equipment is functioning safely and efficiently, ordering repairs when necessary.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
MEDITECH software Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word eClinicalWorks EHR software Calendar and scheduling software Database software Electronic medical record EMR software HMS
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