Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Tucson, AZ
Respiratory therapists in Tucson earn a median of about $37.66 an hour, and TMC Health is offering a $10,000 sign-on bonus to experienced RTs on night shift. Here are the current openings at Tucson hospitals, followed by who is hiring, what it pays and how to get licensed in Arizona.
Current respiratory therapist Openings in Tucson, AZ
Listings marked External are sponsored openings provided by the Jobs2Careers network.
Respiratory Therapist Work in Tucson
Tucson's respiratory therapy jobs center on its hospitals, which are spread across the metro: Tucson Medical Center in midtown near Grant Rd and Craycroft Rd, including its NICU, Carondelet St. Joseph's on North Wilmot Rd on the east side, and the Tucson VA Medical Center on South Sixth Avenue, which cares for veterans from across Southern Arizona.
The patient mix leans older than the national average. More than one in five Pima County residents is 65 or older, up from 16% in 2010, as retirees keep moving to the Old Pueblo. Federal wage data counts about 540 respiratory therapists in the metro, and hospitals compete for experienced RRTs with sign-on bonuses and short seasonal contracts that TMC posts at $50 an hour.
Top Tucson Employers Hiring Respiratory Therapists
These Tucson hospitals have posted respiratory therapist roles on their own career sites:
- TMC Health - Tucson Medical Center hires Respiratory Therapist II and III staff with a $10,000 sign-on bonus for two years of experience, plus 13-week seasonal night contracts.
- Carondelet Health Network - Carondelet St. Joseph's Hospital hires respiratory therapists with an Arizona license, RRT or registry eligibility and BLS, with ACLS and PALS required within six months for some roles.
- Southern Arizona VA Health Care System - the Tucson VA Medical Center posted a GS-11 Registered Respiratory Therapist opening on USAJOBS in 2026 at $93,779 to $121,919 a year.
Respiratory Therapist Salaries in Tucson
- Entry level: about $29 to $33 per hour for new graduates with the RRT.
- Experienced: roughly $33 to $40 per hour for therapists with critical care and ventilator experience.
- Senior and specialized: about $40 to $50 or more per hour for advanced federal roles, neonatal and lead therapists, and seasonal contracts.
These are estimates based on federal wage data for the Tucson metro and on posted employer pay, including TMC's $50 an hour seasonal contract with a 10% evening and 17% night differential. Pay moves with the RRT credential, critical care, neonatal or adult ICU experience, night and weekend shifts, and sign-on bonuses.
How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Tucson
Respiratory therapists must be licensed in Arizona by the Arizona State Board of Respiratory Care Examiners. A new license requires the NBRC's Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential, a diploma from a respiratory therapy program, proof of citizenship and a fingerprint background check. The local route is Pima Community College's Respiratory Care AAS at the West Campus, a two-year program including summers, offered in person or hybrid, accredited by CoARC, with more than 700 clinical hours in the second year. TMC and Carondelet also require BLS, and ACLS or PALS is preferred or required for many roles.
What the Job Involves
Respiratory therapists assess breathing, run arterial blood gases and pulmonary function tests, and deliver treatments such as nebulizers, oxygen therapy and airway clearance. In the ICU and emergency department they set up and manage ventilators, assist with intubation, respond to rapid responses and codes, and help wean patients off mechanical ventilation. They chart every treatment, educate patients on inhalers and home oxygen, and work closely with physicians and nurses.
Skills Employers Look For
- RRT credential and an Arizona respiratory care license
- Mechanical ventilation and airway management
- Arterial blood gas sampling and interpretation
- BLS, with ACLS, PALS or neonatal resuscitation a plus
- Calm, fast response during codes and rapid responses
- Patient education on inhalers and oxygen
- Flexibility for nights, weekends and holidays
Career Path and Advancement
Many new graduates start on general floors and move into the ICU, the emergency department or the NICU as they gain experience, and TMC posts separate Respiratory Therapist I, II and III levels as therapists advance. From there the path leads to lead therapist, specialty roles in neonatal or pulmonary function testing, clinical educator or department manager. Federal service at the Tucson VA offers another ladder, with Registered Respiratory Therapist roles posted at GS-11.
Related Careers in Tucson
If respiratory care interests you, these related Tucson healthcare roles are close matches:
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a license to be a respiratory therapist in Arizona?
Yes. Respiratory therapists in Arizona are licensed by the Arizona State Board of Respiratory Care Examiners. New applicants need the RRT credential, proof of a respiratory therapy program, proof of citizenship and a fingerprint background check.
How much do respiratory therapists make in Tucson?
The Tucson metro median is about $37.66 an hour, or roughly $78,300 a year. New graduates generally start around $29 to $33 an hour, and advanced federal roles at the Tucson VA have been posted at $93,779 to $121,919 a year.
Where can I study respiratory therapy in Tucson?
Pima Community College offers a CoARC-accredited Respiratory Care AAS at its West Campus. It takes about two years including summers and prepares graduates for the NBRC exams that lead to the RRT credential.
Do Tucson hospitals offer sign-on bonuses for respiratory therapists?
Some do. TMC Health has advertised a $10,000 sign-on bonus for respiratory therapists with two years of experience. Bonuses change often, so check each posting and ask about the commitment period.
What is a seasonal respiratory therapist contract?
TMC posts 13-week seasonal Respiratory Therapist I contracts that pay $50 an hour, with shift differentials and a living allowance for therapists from more than 100 miles away. They require two years of recent experience, an Arizona license and the RRT.
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