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Just the numbers
For all results, salaries ranged between $40,000 and $59,999 (45 percent), $60,000 and $69,999 (18 percent), and $70,000 and $79,999 (11 percent), $30,000 and $39,999 (10 percent), $80,000 to $89,999 (7 percent), under $29,999 (4 percent). Only 3 percent made more than $90,000.
The average wage varied greatly between job titles. Below are the average salary ranges for the top five most selected professions.
- Staff therapist: $40,000 to $49,999
- Department manager: $60,000 to $69,999
- Technical or clinical director: $60,000 to $69,999
- Sleep technologist: $40,000 to $49,999
- Sleep facility manager or coordinator: $50,000 to $59,999
"There is no better return on a two-year investment," said Jeffrey Farr, RRT, a staff therapist at Cape Fear Valley Health System, Fayetteville, N.C. "You might quite possibly end up with a recession proof job where you can make a difference in many lives."
Despite the sluggish economy, 10.5 percent of respondents should have an extra bounce in their step due to salary raises in 2009. Another 51 percent of respondents earned their last raise in 2008, and 9 percent earned theirs in 2007. The majority (57 percent) earned a raise of 4 percent to 6 percent.
Of course, salary only represents a portion of compensation. The benefits our survey responders receive include vacation/sick days (89 percent), health insurance (86 percent), and life insurance (71 percent). Most share the cost of benefits with their employers (70 percent).
Less often, employers offer disability (55 percent), tuition reimbursement (49.7 percent), and paid continuing education (47.2 percent). A lucky few of you work for employers who pay malpractice/medical/liability insurance (16.8 percent), professional association dues (14.43 percent), and offer profit sharing (10.33 percent).
Compared with results from our 2004 survey, a greater percentage of respondents are climbing higher on the salary ladder. More earn salaries in the $70,000 to $89,999 bracket; 18 percent now versus 12 percent five years ago.
"Respiratory is finally being recognized for what we as therapists can bring to the table in regards to providing optimum care for our patients," said Mark Abresch, RRT-NPS, a shift supervisor at Peninsula Regional Medical Center, Salisbury, Md. "In my institution, respiratory is becoming a conduit for physicians in evaluating patients' needs and initiating appropriate care."
Kristen Ziegler is assistant editor at ADVANCE for Respiratory Care & Sleep Medicine. She can be reached at kziegler@advanceweb.com.
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