Respiratory Therapists care for patients who have pulmonary diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and who have lung dysfunction because of another condition, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) caused by sepsis or trauma. Job responsibilities for Respiratory Therapists often include assessing patients’ breathing function, managing equipment such as oxygen delivery devices, and responding to emergency situations to provide respiratory support. Requirements for Respiratory Therapists include earning at least an associate degree and obtaining state licensure. The average annual salary for Respiratory Therapists in the United States is more than $70,000.