How To Become a Respiratory Therapist (Schools & Salary)

woman therapist with child

To pursue a career as a respiratory therapist, you typically need to complete either an Associates degree in Respiratory Care or a Bachelor of Health Science in Respiratory Care. After completing your education, you’ll need to pass credentialing examinations and obtain state licensure. These requirements enable you to qualify for employment in this rapidly growing field and make a meaningful impact on patients’ respiratory health.

Respiratory Therapist At a Glance

What you’ll do: You might work in the intensive or critical care unit, helping patients with a variety of respiratory illnesses to breathe normally, or work with a variety of people with chronic lung diseases. Some have cystic fibrosis, some are elderly or premature infants, and some need long-term care for diseases such as emphysema. You will measure patients’ lung capacity, set up and monitor ventilator equipment, test patients for lung abnormalities, assist patients with rehabilitative exercises.

Where you’ll work: Most work in hospitals, but a growing number are employed by nursing homes, home care agencies, respiratory therapy clinics, and emergency centers.

Degree you’ll need: Associate degree at minimum; bachelor’s degree preferred

Median annual salary: $77,960

What is it like going back to school as an adult? Find out in this real respiratory therapist student’s story.

Median Annual Respiratory Therapist Salary

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics reports the following median annual salaries for respiratory therapists.

Respiratory Therapists

National data

Median Salary: $77,960

Projected job growth: 12.5%

10th Percentile: $59,180

25th Percentile: $65,530

75th Percentile: $88,820

90th Percentile: $104,480

Projected job growth: 12.5%

State data

State	Median Salary	Bottom 10%	Top 10%
Alabama	$61,340	$46,440	$78,570
Alaska	$94,030	$82,910	$111,230
Arizona	$74,520	$62,180	$85,180
Arkansas	$64,990	$48,740	$79,700
California	$101,200	$76,220	$137,300
Colorado	$80,770	$65,680	$99,190
Connecticut	$81,590	$66,080	$103,920
Delaware	$83,820	$67,870	$102,080
District of Columbia	$106,480	$76,550	$127,390
Florida	$76,390	$58,760	$87,160
Georgia	$78,490	$58,540	$104,340
Hawaii	$90,860	$79,260	$101,220
Idaho	$69,400	$62,180	$84,530
Illinois	$78,980	$62,790	$95,220
Indiana	$69,720	$55,110	$83,140
Iowa	$64,850	$53,910	$80,360
Kansas	$69,420	$54,530	$86,130
Kentucky	$63,420	$50,610	$78,090
Louisiana	$65,890	$54,100	$81,170
Maine	$75,560	$56,740	$88,590
Maryland	$83,500	$66,690	$101,570
Massachusetts	$86,700	$68,330	$114,320
Michigan	$71,450	$59,890	$82,720
Minnesota	$82,280	$68,860	$96,840
Mississippi	$60,800	$48,670	$82,800
Missouri	$67,780	$52,940	$84,020
Montana	$77,910	$55,920	$97,870
Nebraska	$69,560	$59,550	$81,640
Nevada	$79,560	$62,860	$110,940
New Hampshire	$82,860	$68,180	$96,920
New Jersey	$94,220	$72,810	$112,990
New Mexico	$64,580	$58,540	$81,020
New York	$98,640	$71,140	$119,820
North Carolina	$69,070	$55,760	$85,530
North Dakota	$66,070	$55,670	$85,480
Ohio	$77,180	$59,800	$93,530
Oklahoma	$68,050	$54,140	$87,520
Oregon	$88,080	$74,880	$103,270
Pennsylvania	$76,760	$59,260	$93,050
Rhode Island	$79,880	$64,150	$96,430
South Carolina	$72,500	$60,690	$80,170
South Dakota	$64,000	$49,350	$80,940
Tennessee	$63,250	$49,830	$77,670
Texas	$76,450	$61,750	$92,960
Utah	$71,200	$61,450	$88,570
Vermont	$78,100	$60,800	$93,150
Virginia	$76,230	$59,440	$97,090
Washington	$89,230	$74,790	$115,790
West Virginia	$62,860	$49,440	$81,400
Wisconsin	$79,560	$63,950	$93,300
Wyoming	$68,430	$49,060	$84,360

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2023 median salary; projected job growth through 2032. Actual salaries may vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.

Respiratory Therapist Education

Respiratory therapists complete either 2-year associate’s degree or 4-year bachelor’s degree programs.

Upon graduation, you can choose to sit for a national exam to become a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT). After passing this exam, you can decide to sit for two additional tests to become a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).

Most respiratory therapist schools offer an accredited four-year or higher degree. However, there are associate’s degrees and certificate programs that can get you started. All states, except Alaska, require respiratory therapists to obtain a license in order to practice.

Respiratory Therapist: Licensing

Generally, to qualify for state licenses, you must graduate from an accredited respiratory therapist school and pass the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) exam. Certified Respiratory Therapists who graduated from advanced-level programs and who have met experience requirements can take the exams leading toward the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential. Certain specialty areas, such as intensive care units and supervisory positions, require CRT or RRT eligibility.

Your school advisor will be able to tell you what requirements have been set by the board of respiratory care examiners in your state.