Respiratory Therapists in South Carolina
Thinking about a career as a Respiratory Therapists in South Carolina? Below are the key facts. 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.
What do Respiratory Therapists Make in South Carolina?
For respiratory therapists working in South Carolina, wages run about $75,960 per year (or about $36.52/hour).Pay can range from $62,190 at the 10th percentile to $82,470 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $62,190 | $29.90 |
| 25th percentile | $65,110 | $31.30 |
| Median (50th) | $75,960 | $36.52 |
| 75th percentile | $79,130 | $38.05 |
| 90th percentile | $82,470 | $39.65 |
The job concentration index in South Carolina nationwide is 0.96.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, respiratory therapists earn a median of $128,345 per year ($61.70/hour), lower than the South Carolina median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 3,445,190 respiratory therapists nationwide. In South Carolina alone, approximately 1,930 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 1,700 respiratory therapists.
Top South Carolina Metros for Respiratory Therapists
The largest metro-area employers of respiratory therapists in South Carolina.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | 430 | $75,130 |
| Columbia, SC | 360 | $78,220 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | 300 | $77,700 |
| Spartanburg, SC | 220 | $65,380 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | 150 | $73,830 |
| Florence, SC | 70 | $76,510 |
Top States for Respiratory Therapists Employment
These states have the highest employment of respiratory therapists work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 18,310 |
| Texas | 11,860 |
| Florida | 8,840 |
| New York | 6,780 |
| Ohio | 6,460 |
| Pennsylvania | 5,850 |
| Illinois | 5,450 |
| Georgia | 5,030 |
| North Carolina | 4,440 |
| Michigan | 4,150 |
| Indiana | 3,330 |
| Missouri | 3,270 |
| New Jersey | 3,200 |
| Tennessee | 3,070 |
| Arizona | 3,070 |
| Virginia | 2,960 |
| Kentucky | 2,860 |
| Louisiana | 2,280 |
| Alabama | 2,250 |
| Massachusetts | 2,140 |
Highest-Paying States for Respiratory Therapists
Where respiratory therapists earn the most: respiratory therapists.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $104,240 |
| New York | $103,820 |
| California | $102,120 |
| New Jersey | $98,020 |
| Washington | $97,150 |
| Massachusetts | $96,940 |
| Oregon | $96,130 |
| Hawaii | $94,670 |
| Alaska | $94,210 |
| Minnesota | $88,040 |
Skills
Key respiratory therapists skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Key abilities for respiratory therapists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, respiratory therapists typically:
- Provide emergency care, such as artificial respiration, external cardiac massage, or assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
- 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.
- Set up and operate devices, such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, or aerosol generators, following specified parameters of treatment.
- Work as part of a team of physicians, nurses, or other healthcare professionals to manage patient care by assisting with medical procedures or related duties.
- Maintain charts that contain patients' pertinent identification and therapy information.
- Read prescription, measure arterial blood gases, and review patient information to assess patient condition.
- Relay blood analysis results to a physician.
- Inspect, clean, test, and maintain respiratory therapy equipment to ensure equipment is functioning safely and efficiently, ordering repairs when necessary.
- Explain treatment procedures to patients to gain cooperation and allay fears.
- Make emergency visits to resolve equipment problems.
- Determine requirements for treatment, such as type, method and duration of therapy, precautions to be taken, or medication and dosages, compatible with physicians' orders.
- Enforce safety rules and ensure careful adherence to physicians' orders.
Work Activities
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Getting Information
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: eClinicalWorks EHR software
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Programs that train for this career include:
- Allied Health Professions
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Related Careers
Related occupations to respiratory therapists include:
- Anesthesiologist Assistants
- Physical Therapists
- Radiation Therapists
- Registered Nurses
- Acute Care Nurses
- Critical Care Nurses
Also Known As
Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Respiratory Therapist, Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT), Hospital Respiratory Therapist, Inhalation Therapist, NICU Respiratory Therapist (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Respiratory Therapist), Oxygen Therapist, Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT), Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP), Respiratory Therapist (RT), Staff Respiratory Therapist, Staff Therapist, Travel Registered Respiratory Therapist (Travel RRT), Travel Respiratory Therapist.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 29-1126.00