Respiratory Therapists
Machines can already do 15% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 38%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Respiratory Therapists in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 15% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2039, and 38% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 139,790 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $82,280 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 85% for contact with people.
- Also called: CRRT (Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Respiratory Therapist), CRT (Certified Respiratory Therapist), Diagnostics RRT (Diagnostics Registered Respiratory Therapist), Infant RT (Infant Respiratory Therapist).
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Set up and operate devices, such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, or aerosol generators, following specified parameters of treatment | 17% | 3% to 25% | |
| 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 | 12% | 3% to 25% | |
| Maintain charts that contain patients' pertinent identification and therapy information | 11% | 63% to 81% | |
| Read prescription, measure arterial blood gases, and review patient information to assess patient condition | 8% | 3% to 25% | |
| Inspect, clean, test, and maintain respiratory therapy equipment to ensure equipment is functioning safely and efficiently, ordering repairs when necessary | 7% | 18% to 51% | |
| 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 | 5% | 3% to 25% | |
| Provide emergency care, such as artificial respiration, external cardiac massage, or assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation | 4% | 3% to 25% | |
| Determine requirements for treatment, such as type, method and duration of therapy, precautions to be taken, or medication and dosages, compatible with physicians' orders | 4% | 22% to 42% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills respiratory therapists use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons31% of tasks by 2035 · US median $352,220
- Nurse Anesthetists36% of tasks by 2035 · US median $236,590
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers37% of tasks by 2035 · US median $96,590
- Dentists, General31% of tasks by 2035 · US median $170,950
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Respiratory Therapists?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2039. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of respiratory therapists?
Machines can do 15% of the tasks of respiratory therapists today and 38% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 29-1126.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Respiratory Therapists: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/respiratory-therapists/