Respiratory Therapists: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Respiratory Therapists fall under the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical category in the U.S. occupational classification. Respiratory Therapists earn a median salary of $82,280 per year, ranking in the top 25% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +8.5% job growth through 2035, projected to grow faster than the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree followed by a master's or doctoral degree, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do respiratory therapists earn?

The median annual wage for respiratory therapists is $82,280. That puts respiratory therapists at #204 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is above the U.S. median for individual workers and reflects a stable, credentialed occupation. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is respiratory therapists a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for respiratory therapists is +8.5%, projected to grow faster than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 142K positions in 2024 to 154K in 2034, a net change of 12K. Faster-than-average growth means hiring is consistently outpacing the labor market overall. New entrants generally find their first roles faster than peers in stable fields.

What education does my child need to become respiratory therapist?

Becoming a respiratory therapist typically requires a bachelor's degree followed by a master's, doctoral, or professional degree, plus state licensure or board certification depending on specialty. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

How to become respiratory therapist: step by step

The typical education and licensing pathway from high school into this profession. Total time to entry is about 2 to 4 years. Steps marked optional are common for advancement but not required to start.

1. 1

   CoARC-Accredited Respiratory Therapy Degree

   ~2 years

   The mandatory entry degree. An associate takes about two years and is the minimum for board eligibility, though the increasingly common Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care (BSRC) takes four years. CoARC accreditation is non-negotiable because it is the gateway to every NBRC exam and state license that follows. Fewer than 10 percent of current RTs hold a bachelor's, but CoARC is pushing new programs toward bachelor's-level preparation.

   • •Minimum Associate degree (AAS/AS in Respiratory Care) from a program accredited or supported by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)
   • •Coursework in respiratory anatomy, physiology, pathology, clinical medicine, therapeutic procedures, and equipment operation
   • •Completion of supervised clinical rotations
2. 2

   Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care (BSRC) Advancement

   Optional~2 years

   Optional but increasingly valued. A BSRC raises pay by roughly $6,930 per year on average versus an associate and opens leadership, education, and specialty tracks. CoARC has moved toward bachelor's-level preparation for new programs, so this reflects a clear upward degree drift in the field. Working RRTs can bridge from an associate to a BS in about a year online.

   • •Complete a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care, either as a four-year degree or via an associate-to-bachelor degree-advancement bridge program
   • •Bridge programs let credentialed RRTs finish the BS in as little as one year online
3. 3

   NBRC Board Examinations (TMC and CSE)

   ~0.5 years

   The national credentialing step from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), taken right after graduation. Passing the TMC at the low cut score earns the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT); passing at the high cut score plus the CSE earns the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT), the advanced standard-of-practice credential most employers now require. MAJOR CHANGE: the NBRC consolidates to a single Respiratory Therapy Examination beginning January 1, 2027, and the CRT-to-Registry admission policy expires December 31, 2026. The current TMC plus CSE ladder is sunsetting, so 2027-and-later graduates will take the new single exam.

   • •Hold a CoARC-accredited degree to be exam-eligible
   • •Pass the Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) exam: 160 items, 3 hours; low cut score earns the CRT credential
   • •Pass the TMC at the high cut score (92+) to unlock the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE)
   • •Pass the CSE: 22 problems, 4 hours, to earn the RRT credential

   NBRC Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) ExaminationNBRC Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE)
4. 4

   State Respiratory Care Licensure

   ~0.25 years

   Licensure is required to practice in 49 of 50 states (Alaska being the historical exception). All regulating states base licensure on the CRT or RRT credential. Application goes to the state respiratory care board, for example the Respiratory Care Board of California, the Florida Board of Respiratory Care, or the New York State Education Department, with continuing education required to renew.

   • •Apply to the state respiratory care board with proof of the NBRC credential (CRT or RRT) and the CoARC-accredited degree
   • •Some states require a jurisprudence exam and background check
   • •Maintain the license through continuing education for renewal

Related careers your child might also consider

• Orthotists and Prosthetists
  $81,110 median
• Radiologic Technologists and Technicians
  $80,110 median
• Chiropractors
  $79,200 median
• Therapists, All Other
  $77,930 median
• Dietitians and Nutritionists
  $76,400 median
• Acupuncturists
  $76,040 median

Common questions parents ask about respiratory therapists