How Much Do Respiratory Nurses Make?

Respiratory illnesses are among the most common medical conditions worldwide. Also known as pulmonary nurses, respiratory nurses care for patients suffering from acute and chronic respiratory conditions, including influenza, emphysema, pneumonia, and lung cancer. Because the number of those affected by these illnesses continue to rise, respiratory nurses can expect to find expanding employment opportunities in various settings, from traditional hospital placements to home care.

Read on to find out more about this career, how much respiratory nurses make, and

how to move ahead in this growing field.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects the employment of registered nurses (RNs), including respiratory nurses, to grow by 9% between 2020 and 2030. This could add 266,800 jobs to the U.S. economy. RN salaries range from the lowest 10% of earners making $59,450 and below to the top 10% of earners reporting $120,250 and above.

According to PayScale data from June 2022, RNs make an average hourly wage of $31.24, or $68,620 annually. Respiratory nurse salary levels vary considerably, depending on educational level, credentials, employer type and location, and years of experience.

Compared to all RNs, the demand for respiratory nurses could likely grow at a similar or faster rate, driven by nursing shortages and retirements, the increase in respiratory conditions across the country, and the pressing demand for healthcare by the aging population and other at-risk groups.

Where you live can affect how much you make as a respiratory nurse. Although the BLS does not break down state-specific data for respiratory nurses, their average earnings reflect salary levels for all RNs.

RNs who work in densely populated states and urban areas with a greater-than-average cost of living typically earn higher salaries. According to the BLS, California ranks as the top-paying state for RNs, offering an average annual salary of $124,000, followed by Hawaii, Oregon, the District of Columbia, and Alaska. The ten top-paying metropolitan areas for RNs in the U.S., all located in California, offer yearly salaries ranging $124,790-$155,230.

Respiratory nurses, like most RNs, can pursue several strategies to boost their salary potential and advance in their careers. These include earning an advanced degree, pursuing specialist certifications, and moving into administrative roles or different employment settings.

Respiratory nurse pay corresponds to the average salaries for RNs who work in critical care and other related nursing fields. Those who pursue neonatal, pediatric, geriatric, neurology, emergency, and other RN specializations may earn more depending on their educational level, certifications, and experience. Respiratory nurses with certifications and graduate training can increase their earnings by moving into clinical nurse specialist, nurse practitioner, nurse manager, supervisor, and nurse educator roles.

According to PayScale data from May 2022, RNs that have respiratory or pulmonology skills earn an average of $28.00 an hour, with annual salaries ranging from $45,000 to $79,000. Pulmonary nurse practitioners, who have graduate degrees and certifications, earn considerably more, with salaries ranging from $76,000 to over $133,000 for nurses with the most experience.

In recent years, the demand for respiratory nurses has been driven by an increase in respiratory illnesses related to COVID-19 and influenza outbreaks. Job prospects should continue to expand in response to mounting public awareness about the health effects of air pollution, workplace hazards, and smoking, as well as the rise in pulmonary diseases like asthma, COPD, and pneumonia.

While the job outlook for respiratory therapists is promising, they earn less than respiratory nurses who are licensed RNs with at least an associate degree. In contrast to respiratory RNs who perform a variety of patient care duties in all types of healthcare settings, respiratory therapists do not hold RN licenses and have limited responsibilities.

These nurses need extensive knowledge of respiratory illnesses, such as asthma, COPD, tuberculosis, and emphysema, to administer appropriate assessment and therapy techniques. They must also have excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to work in teams, and the physical and emotional stamina to keep up in fast-paced and high-risk settings.