How to Become a Respiratory Therapist — Salary, Training & Licensing
When someone can't breathe, you're the one who fixes it. Respiratory therapists are the airway experts of the hospital — managing ventilators, treating asthma attacks, resuscitating newborns, and keeping critically ill patients alive. 13% growth, strong pay, and 2-year entry path.
91% High Demand
$55K–$90K+
Salary Range
Very High
Demand
+13%
Job Growth
℞ Prescribed by data · BLS · WEF · McKinsey
Respiratory Therapist Apprenticeship & Training in Oregon
Licensing & Requirements
Oregon Respiratory Therapist Licensing Board. Must graduate from CoARC-accredited program + pass NBRC TMC exam + earn RRT credential. State license required.
Training Programs
Lane CC (respiratory therapy — CoARC-accredited), Mt. Hood CC. Two in-state programs. OHSU clinical rotations available. Associate's degree is standard entry.
Average Salary
$60K–$82K
Top Employers
Providence Health, OHSU, Kaiser Permanente NW, Legacy Health, Salem Health, PeaceHealth, VA Portland, Lincare/Apria (home health RT).
Career Overview
Is this career right for you?
✓You stay calm in emergencies — this job involves life-or-death moments
✓You're interested in the science of how the lungs and heart work together
✓You want a healthcare career that's hands-on and high-impact, not administrative
✓You're comfortable with sick patients, ventilators, and intensive care environments
✓You want strong pay ($55K–90K+) without needing a 4-year degree
✓You can handle the emotional weight of working with critically ill patients
Your Roadmap
1
Get Your FoundationAges 14–18
Take biology, chemistry, anatomy, physics, and math courses
Volunteer at hospitals or clinics — observe respiratory therapy departments if possible
Get CPR/BLS certified — you'll need it and it shows initiative
Shadow a respiratory therapist — many hospitals accommodate student observers
Understand the role: RTs work in ICUs, ERs, NICUs, sleep labs, pulmonary rehab, and home health
2
Complete a CoARC-Accredited RT ProgramAges 18–20
Enroll in a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program (Associate's: 2 years, or Bachelor's: 4 years)
Entry-level positions in hospital respiratory therapy departments
You'll manage ventilators in ICU, respond to codes/emergencies, treat ER patients, work in NICU
Starting pay is $50-65K; night/weekend shift differentials add $5-10K
Many hospitals offer sign-on bonuses ($3-10K) due to RT staffing shortages
Build experience across multiple patient populations: adult critical care, neonatal, pediatric, post-surgical
5
Specialize and AdvanceYears 2–7
Specialize in: adult critical care, NICU, ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation), pulmonary function, sleep medicine
ECMO specialists are among the highest-paid RTs ($70-90K+)
Lead therapist/shift supervisor roles ($60-80K)
Complete a bachelor's degree (if you started with associate's) for management eligibility
Pursue ACCS (Adult Critical Care Specialty) credential for ICU expertise
6
Advanced Career PathsYears 5+
RT department manager/director ($75-100K+)
Clinical educator — train new RTs and medical residents ($65-85K)
Sales/applications specialist for ventilator and respiratory equipment companies ($70-100K+)
Pulmonary research coordinator at academic medical centers ($60-80K)
Travel RT — 13-week contracts at $1,500-2,200/week with housing through staffing agencies
Healthcare Employers & RT Pathways
HCA Healthcare
Largest hospital chain in the US (182 hospitals). Hires thousands of RTs nationwide with structured advancement, tuition reimbursement, and sign-on bonuses.
Children's Hospitals
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Texas Children's, Cincinnati Children's, and others hire NICU/PICU RTs. Premium pay, specialized training, and the reward of caring for the smallest patients.
VA Healthcare System
VA hospitals hire RTs with federal benefits, pension, loan repayment, and excellent work-life balance. High demand for critical care and pulmonary rehab specialists.
Home Health / DME Companies
Companies like Lincare, Apria, and AdaptHealth hire RTs for home ventilator management, CPAP setups, and patient education. More predictable schedule than hospital work.
Travel RT Agencies
Aya Healthcare, Med Travelers, and Cross Country hire travel RTs for 13-week contracts at premium rates ($1,500-2,200/week with housing). Fill critical staffing gaps nationwide.
The BLS projects 13% growth for respiratory therapists through 2032. COVID permanently elevated awareness of respiratory care. An aging population with COPD, sleep apnea, and chronic respiratory conditions ensures sustained demand. The RT shortage is real and growing.
An associate's RT degree takes 2 years and costs $10-25K. You graduate with RRT credentials and immediately earn $50-65K. That's a faster, cheaper path to strong healthcare pay than nursing (which increasingly requires BSN) or any therapy doctorate. Travel RTs earn $1,500-2,200/week. Compare that to a 4-year degree at $80-120K — RTs are earning strong wages with half the education time and a fraction of the debt.
The Real Talk
The Good
Critical role in every hospital — you're the airway expert when patients can't breathe
13% job growth with a real shortage of qualified RTs
Short training — working in 2 years with an associate's degree
Strong starting pay ($50-65K) with shift differentials pushing higher
Multiple specialties: ICU, NICU, ECMO, sleep lab, pulmonary rehab, home health
Travel RT option for premium pay and nationwide adventure
The Hard Parts
Night, weekend, and holiday shifts are standard in hospital settings
Emotionally intense — you see patients at their worst and some don't survive
Physical demands: moving patients, carrying equipment, responding to codes on foot
Code blue responses create high-stress moments that require composure
Some burnout from high patient loads and staffing shortages
Is It Worth It?
Respiratory therapy is for people who want to be in the room when it matters most. When a patient stops breathing in the ICU, when a premature baby takes their first breath, when an asthma patient comes in gasping — you're the one who makes the difference. It's intense, emotional, and sometimes heartbreaking. But it's also deeply meaningful, well-compensated, and in enormous demand. If you want a healthcare career that puts you at the center of critical care with just 2 years of training, respiratory therapy is one of the best-kept secrets in medicine.
A Career Is Just One Part of Your Story
The best careers don't just pay well — they give you freedom, purpose, and time for the people and things you love. Choose a path that makes your whole life better, not just your resume.
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