South Carolina Wages for Respiratory Therapist

In South Carolina, a licensed respiratory therapist can make a decent wage. On the low end, you might expect to see a salary in the area of $46,000. On the high end, an experienced and highly trained therapist might earn as much as $62,100. The median salary for respiratory therapists in this state is $54, 081.

Education Effects

Naturally the level of education someone has will have significant bearing on the salary he or she earns. A graduate from a two year school with an associate degree might find himself looking for jobs paying on the low end of the spectrum. By contrast, a graduate with a four year degree, by virtue of his additional training can expect to earn more. Your earning power can be boosted if your education also focused on a specialty area such as neo natal respiratory care or long term respiratory care.

Experience

As in any career field, experience on the job counts. The more time you have under your belt, the more advantage it gives you. Someone with five or more years of practical experience treating patients will always merit higher pay than someone fresh out of school. Also the type of experience you have had can help increase your salary when looking for a new job. If you have already worked in a specialized area, you can command a higher salary at your next job in that area.

Work Setting

Your particular work setting will also contribute to determining the salary you earn. About 80% of all respiratory therapists, including those in South Carolina work in hospital settings. In addition to specializing, you can hope to earn more by being willing to work later shifts and weekends. Other therapists might work in clinics or nursing homes. Some might even provide in-home care to patients who cannot travel. A few private companies have respiratory therapists on staff. These and any who might be involved in research can potentially earn at the high end of the scale.

Salaries and Jobs Are Stable

Lots of jobs are affected by the economy. Consider someone working in the travel industry. IF the economy is in a downturn, people cut back on unnecessary expenses like travel. When fewer people are travelling, fewer workers are needed to support the industry. In the case of the respiratory therapist, this simply isn't the case. People will always need health care. This makes the fairly lofty salary of the South Carolina respiratory therapist a pretty reliable income. In addition to the lack of effect felt b the economy, the field of respiratory therapy is actually set to grow, just as most medical professions are. As the population of baby boomers age out, the need for people in this career field will increase. The elderly experience increases health problems, respiratory problems among them. This is likely to be a growing field for many years to come with workers in high demand.

Other Considerations

The salary potential for therapists in South Carolina is contingent upon the historical statistics and current market standards. Salaries throughout the state may fluctuate higher or lower than those mentioned here. Following a career path into management could elevate salary potential. This career typically offers an above average salary compared with other jobs in the state; however that can vary locally across the state.

All Salaries from BLS