Respiratory Therapist vs Surgical Technologist: Salary & Career Comparison
Median salary, hourly wage, salary range, skills, education and career outlook for Respiratory Therapist and Surgical Technologist.
| Metric | Respiratory Therapist | Surgical Technologist |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $82,280 | $64,650 |
| Median hourly wage | $40 | $31 |
| Mean annual salary | $87,300 | $68,710 |
| Typical range (25th–75th) | $74,520 – $98,730 | $54,690 – $79,750 |
| Employed in the US | 139,790 | 117,460 |
Key skills
Both
No shared skills listed.
Respiratory Therapist only
None listed.
Surgical Technologist only
None listed.
Education & entry requirements
Respiratory Therapist
No education data listed.
Surgical Technologist
No education data listed.
What they have in common
They draw on largely different skill sets.
Key differences
Respiratory Therapist typically earns $17,630 per year more than Surgical Technologist.
Who it's for
Choose Respiratory Therapist if its path fits your goals. Choose Surgical Technologist if its path fits your goals.
Figures reference the same BLS OEWS wage data as each job's salary page. See the Respiratory Therapist salary and Surgical Technologist salary pages for full details.