Respiratory Therapist vs Radiology Technologist
One pays more, the other gets you working sooner. Side-by-side data on Respiratory Therapist vs Radiology Technologist salary, timeline, and ROI.
Salary
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.
Top-Paying States
| 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 |
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 | 22 hrs |
Barrier to Entry
Timeline differs: Respiratory Therapist typically takes 2-4 years, while Radiology Technologist takes 2 years.
Job Market
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.
Bottom Line
Respiratory Therapist and Radiology Technologist land in the same salary neighborhood. Choosing between them comes down to what kind of work you actually want to do day-to-day, not which one pays better.
Training timelines differ: Respiratory Therapist takes 2-4 years while Radiology Technologist takes 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.