Pulmonologist vs Respiratory Therapist: Roles and Education

Key Takeaways

• Pulmonologists diagnose and treat complex lung conditions; respiratory therapists provide hands-on care and manage breathing equipment.
• RTs obtain an associate’s or bachelor’s degree with clinical experience, whereas pulmonologists go to medical school and undergo specialized training.
• Both work in clinics and hospitals, but RTs administer therapy while pulmonologists oversee it.
• Due to aging populations and chronic lung diseases, both professions are in high demand, offering excellent job growth and compensation.

Careers in respiratory health have seen a sharp increase in interest since the COVID-19 pandemic, as people have come to understand the critical role that respiratory specialists play in saving lives. Pulmonologists and respiratory therapists, two professions that frequently collaborate but differ substantially in terms of education, duties, and scope, are among the most important specialists in this area. 

This blog examines the key differences between pulmonologists and respiratory therapists, providing insight into the distinct roles they play. Because both deal with lung and breathing issues, it’s easy to confuse the two—but knowing how they complement each other can help you choose the right career path in respiratory care.

What Is a Pulmonologist?

A pulmonologist is a doctor who specializes in treating the lungs and the entire respiratory system. This includes the lungs, bronchial tubes, windpipe (trachea), nose, throat, and the muscles that help with breathing. 

Lung infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and lung scarring (pulmonary fibrosis) are among the severe or chronic breathing issues that pulmonologists diagnose and treat. 

They also perform special procedures like bronchoscopies, where they use a thin tube with a camera to look inside the airways, and lung biopsies, which involve taking a small sample of lung tissue to check for diseases like cancer. 

Pulmonologists frequently treat extremely ill patients in hospitals, particularly those in the intensive care unit (ICU) who require ventilators or other breathing assistance. In outpatient clinics, they help patients manage breathing problems over time with regular checkups and treatment plans.

What Is a Respiratory Therapist?

A respiratory therapist (RT) is a trained healthcare professional who assists individuals experiencing breathing difficulties. They work with doctors to care for both sudden (acute) and long-term (chronic) breathing problems, such as asthma, COPD, pneumonia, and other lung conditions. 

Respiratory therapists use special equipment to help patients breathe better, including ventilators for those who cannot breathe on their own. They also give oxygen therapy and use machines called nebulizers to deliver medicine that opens up the airways. 

RTs take care of people of all ages, from newborn babies who have weak lungs to older adults with breathing diseases.

Key Differences Between Pulmonologists and Respiratory Therapists

Pulmonologists and respiratory therapists both help people who have trouble breathing, but they have different training, duties, and roles in caring for patients. It’s important to know these differences so patients understand who is helping them and what each person does. 

While respiratory therapists administer breathing treatments and operate equipment in accordance with physician orders, pulmonologists are medical professionals who diagnose and treat severe lung disorders. 

The following sections will explain the differences between these two occupations in terms of working environment, the conditions treated, training and education, licenses and certifications, tasks performed, pay, and prospects for advancement.

Work environments

Pulmonologists and respiratory therapists often work together but in different roles and settings. Here’s a side-by-side comparison of their typical work environments and what they handle in each:

Pulmonologists	Respiratory Therapists (RTs)
Clinics and Outpatient Centers Diagnose and manage chronic conditions like asthma and COPD through exams, imaging, and lung function tests.	Outpatient Clinics Provide breathing treatments, monitor oxygen levels, and teach patients how to use inhalers or breathing devices at home.
Hospitals  Treat patients with severe respiratory issues, perform procedures like bronchoscopies, and oversee critical care plans.	Hospitals (ICU, ER, Neonatal Units) Operate ventilators, deliver emergency respiratory care, assist with newborns in neonatal units, and provide life-saving support.
Academic or Research Settings Conduct research on lung diseases, teach medical students, and develop new treatments.	Patients’ Homes Visit patients to set up and manage home oxygen therapy or other long-term breathing support.

Pulmonologists often take on leadership roles in diagnosing and managing lung diseases, while RTs work hands-on to carry out treatments and ensure patients can breathe comfortably in many different environments.

Treated conditions

Pulmonologists and respiratory therapists both work with breathing problems, but the types of care they provide differ. Pulmonologists focus on diagnosing and treating serious or long-lasting lung diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, lung scarring called pulmonary fibrosis, and sleep apnea, which causes breathing to stop during sleep. 

These conditions require detailed testing, careful planning, and sometimes specialized procedures. Respiratory therapists help with more immediate or everyday breathing problems, such as asthma attacks, breathing trouble after surgery, or injuries that affect breathing. 

Although they often care for the same patients, pulmonologists make the overall treatment plan, especially for complex illnesses, while respiratory therapists provide the treatments that help patients breathe better during recovery or daily care.

Education and training

Pulmonologists and respiratory therapists have quite different career paths as they operate in distinct fields of medicine. To become a pulmonologist, students must have a college degree. 

They then attend medical school for four years to become doctors. They learn how to treat adult patients by completing a three-year internal medicine residency program after graduating from medical school. 

After that, students complete a two- to three-year fellowship that focuses exclusively on lung and breathing issues, during which they gain extensive knowledge on the diagnosis and management of lung disorders. 

Respiratory therapists usually earn either an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree in respiratory therapy. These programs include both classroom lessons and real-life clinical training where they learn how to help patients breathe and use breathing machines. 

For students interested in a medical career, AUAMED offers strong programs at the undergraduate and medical school levels to help prepare them for becoming pulmonologists or other healthcare professionals.

Certification and licensure

Both pulmonologists and respiratory therapists are required to obtain special certificates and licenses before they can practice, but the steps differ due to their distinct job roles and training requirements.

Pulmonologists must pass a comprehensive medical examination, either the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX), to become licensed physicians.

They become specialists in general adult medicine after obtaining board certification in internal medicine. Then, they obtain another board certification in pulmonary disease to demonstrate their specialized skills in treating lung problems.

Respiratory therapists have to pass a test from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) to get certified as either a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) or a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT). Most states also require respiratory therapists to have a state license before they can work.  

Scope of practice

The scope of practice outlines the various roles of pulmonologists and respiratory therapists in caring for patients with breathing problems.

Pulmonologists have a wide range of duties, including diagnosing lung diseases, prescribing medications, and performing complex medical procedures such as bronchoscopies and lung biopsies. They make detailed treatment plans and are responsible for the overall care of patients with lung conditions. 

Respiratory therapists focus on putting these treatment plans into action by handling breathing machines like ventilators and oxygen equipment. They provide hands-on care by assisting patients with breathing treatments, monitoring their progress, and ensuring that all breathing therapies are effective and safe.

Pulmonologists and respiratory therapists work as a team, with pulmonologists leading the diagnosis and treatment choices and respiratory therapists providing the direct care patients need.

Salary and career outlook

The salary and job prospects for both pulmonologists and respiratory therapists are strong due to the growing demand for respiratory care. Pulmonologists, as specialized doctors, earn an average annual salary of around $101,000 to $155,000, with some in pulmonary and critical care making over $200,000. 

The job growth for physicians like pulmonologists is expected to be about 4% from 2023 to 2033, which is average compared to other jobs. 

Respiratory therapists earn an average salary of around $95,000 to $104,000 per year, with job growth projected at 13% from 2023 to 2033—much faster than average. 

This rising demand for both professions is driven by an aging population, the increasing number of people with chronic lung diseases, and advances in medical technology, making careers in pulmonology and respiratory therapy both promising and stable.

Choose the Right Career Path

Choosing between becoming a pulmonologist or a respiratory therapist depends on your interests, goals, and the type of work you see yourself enjoying every day. Both careers play a vital role in helping people breathe better, but they offer different experiences in education, responsibility, and hands-on care. If you’re unsure which path to take, ask yourself:

• Do I enjoy long-term learning and want to become a medical doctor?
• Am I interested in diagnosing complex diseases and leading treatment plans?
• Do I prefer direct, hands-on patient care and working with medical equipment?
• Would I rather enter the workforce sooner with a shorter educational path?
• Am I more drawn to fast-paced emergency care or long-term treatment planning?

These questions can help guide your decision. It’s also a great idea to shadow a pulmonologist or a respiratory therapist or talk with someone already in the field. First-hand experience and conversations with professionals can give you valuable insight into what each role is really like, helping you choose the career that fits you best.

Conclusion

Pulmonologists and respiratory therapists both play important roles in helping patients with breathing problems, but they follow very different career paths. Pulmonologists are medical doctors who diagnose complex lung diseases, prescribe treatments, and perform advanced procedures. 

Respiratory therapists focus on hands-on care, managing equipment like ventilators, and helping patients with day-to-day breathing treatments.

When choosing between the two, it’s important to think about your interests, how long you want to study, and what kind of work you enjoy most. Whether you want to lead treatment plans or provide direct patient care, both careers make a real difference in people’s lives. 

If you’re passionate about healthcare and ready to take the next step, explore how AUAMED can help you start your journey in respiratory care or medicine.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Can a respiratory therapist go to medical school?

Yes, a respiratory therapist can apply to medical school after completing the necessary prerequisites and entrance exams like the MCAT.

How challenging is it working as a pulmonologist vs respiratory therapist?

Pulmonologists face longer education, higher responsibility, and complex decision-making, while respiratory therapists handle hands-on care in fast-paced, high-pressure settings.

How do pulmonologists and respiratory therapists collaborate in patient care?

Pulmonologists diagnose and create treatment plans, while respiratory therapists carry them out, manage equipment, and monitor patient progress.

Is it possible to transition from a respiratory therapist to a pulmonologist?

Yes, but it requires completing a bachelor’s degree, medical school, residency, and a fellowship—essentially starting the medical path from the beginning.