Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Tampa, FL: Pay and Who's Hiring

In Tampa, the May 2025 median for respiratory therapists is about $81.6K, within 3 percent of the U.S. median. The middle half runs from $77.7K to $91.5K.

Pay

The median is the middle of respiratory therapists already employed, not a starting wage. The 25th is the lower quarter of that group. The 75th is what the upper quarter already earns.

Percentile	Metro	FL	U.S.
25th	$77,710	$75,210	$74,520
Median	$81,630	$81,160	$82,280
75th	$91,480	$87,990	$98,730

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

Hiring difficulty and demand

Hiring difficulty

6.3

Metro employment

1,320

National growth, 2025 to 2035

8.5%

National openings a year

8.6 thousand

This is the same score as the free check.

Who's hiring

Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, 5 campuses
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute Hospital, 4 campuses
Ohi West, 4 campuses
Tarpon Springs Hospital Foundation, 4 campuses
University Community Hospital, 3 campuses
Center For Comprehensive Services, 2 campuses

Campuses on file in the provider extract, not live job ads.

License and training

Every state except Alaska licenses respiratory therapists. Most employers want the NBRC's CRT or RRT credential. Confirm your state board's rules before you hire or start.

Sources: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, respiratory therapists

The work

You see your assigned patients, check each ventilator, give treatments, and adjust settings with the physician and the nurse. Codes and rapid responses can interrupt that plan at any hour.

Night shifts are common in hospital work, and weekends rotate. You also teach patients and families how to use oxygen and other equipment at home.

Nearby metros

Lakeland, FL · 33 miles
Homosassa Springs, FL · 58 miles
North Port, FL · 65 miles
Orlando, FL · 81 miles

Related roles

One manager hiring: Hire a Respiratory Therapist in Tampa.

Respiratory Therapists hiring pages

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Questions

Who hires respiratory therapists in Tampa?

Hospitals hire respiratory therapists in Tampa, along with home medical equipment companies. Organizations on file in the provider extract include Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute Hospital, Ohi West.

Do I need a license to work as an RT in Florida?

Almost every state licenses respiratory therapists. Check the Florida board before you start in Tampa.

What should a hospital in Tampa weigh when hiring an RT?

Ask about the RRT and ICU experience. Tampa has about as many of these workers as a typical metro. This metro is within 3 percent of the Florida median.