Respiratory Therapist vs Licensed Practical Nurse
One pays more, the other gets you working sooner. Side-by-side data on Respiratory Therapist vs Licensed Practical Nurse salary, timeline, and ROI.
Salary
Salary Edge
Respiratory Therapists earn $18,110 more per year at the median. That's roughly $1,509/month before taxes — a gap that compounds over a career but needs to be weighed against any difference in training time or upfront costs.
Top-Paying States
| State | Respiratory Therapist | Licensed Practical Nurse | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $102,120 | $77,170 | +24,950 |
| Washington | $97,150 | $79,700 | +17,450 |
| District of Columbia | $104,240 | $70,420 | +33,820 |
| Massachusetts | $96,940 | $76,560 | +20,380 |
| Oregon | $96,130 | $76,570 | +19,560 |
| Alaska | $94,210 | $77,670 | +16,540 |
| New Jersey | $98,020 | $71,180 | +26,840 |
| New York | $103,820 | $64,030 | +39,790 |
| Rhode Island | $83,600 | $77,940 | +5,660 |
| Hawaii | $94,670 | $65,560 | +29,110 |
Requirements at a Glance
| Factor | Respiratory Therapist | Licensed Practical Nurse |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Time | 2-4 years | 1-2 years |
| Est. Total Cost | — | — |
| Exam | NBRC CRT or RRT exam | NCLEX-PN |
| License Required | Most states | Most states |
| Education | Associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program | Completion of a state-approved practical nursing program |
| CE Hours/Cycle | 19 hrs | 21 hrs |
Barrier to Entry
Timeline differs: Respiratory Therapist typically takes 2-4 years, while Licensed Practical Nurse takes 1-2 years.
Job Market
Market Outlook
Respiratory Therapist is projected to grow faster (+12.1% vs +2.6% over the next decade). Licensed Practical Nurse has significantly more annual openings (54.4 vs 8.8), which means more geographic flexibility when job hunting. Licensed Practical Nurse carries lower AI automation risk, which matters for long-term career stability.
Bottom Line
Respiratory Therapist pays $18,110/year more at the national median. Over a 10-year career, that gap adds up to roughly $181,100 in gross earnings — though Respiratory Therapist may require more training upfront.
Training timelines differ: Respiratory Therapist takes 2-4 years while Licensed Practical Nurse takes 1-2 years. If you need to start earning quickly, the shorter path has a real advantage regardless of the salary difference.
Long-term, Respiratory Therapist has a clear edge in job market growth. That doesn't mean the other career is dying — but more openings mean more bargaining power, more geographic options, and less competition for positions.