Respiratory Therapist in Connecticut

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for CT. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$83,250

trending_up +3.5% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Connecticut.

engineering

1,540

Jobs (CT)

monitoring Surging

+12.1%

10-yr job growth

payments

$190

Licensing fees

schedule

2 years (Associate degree) or 4 years (Bachelor's degree)

Time to complete

route How to become a respiratory therapist in Connecticut

To become a licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner in Connecticut, applicants must complete an educational program for Respiratory Therapists accredited by CoARC (or equivalent at the time of completion) and successfully pass either the Entry Level or Advanced Practitioner Respiratory Care examination administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). The application fee is $190. Connecticut offers reciprocity for applicants licensed in other states for at least four years, and for those registered by the Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists who meet specific NBRC credentialing requirements. Licenses are renewed annually, requiring 10 hours of continuing education, with at least 5 hours being real-time interactive education.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $70,480

25th percentile $79,920

50th (median) $83,250

75th percentile $91,550

90th (experienced) $101,900

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Connecticut. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Connecticut requirements

Licensing body	Connecticut Department of Public Health
State license	Required
Education	Associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program
Exam	NBRC CRT or RRT exam
Application fee	$190
Renewal	Every 1.0 year
Continuing education	10.0 hours per cycle
Notes	A minimum of 5 hours of continuing education must be real-time education with opportunities for live interaction. A licensee applying for renewal for the first time is exempt from continuing education requirements for that initial period. Licenses expire annually in the licensee's birth month. There is no minimum age specified.

Source: Connecticut Department of Public Health

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+12.1%

Much faster than average

Annual openings

8,800

Nationwide per year

Total employment

139,600

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

verified Low exposure -0.19/1.00

This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

check_circleConnecticut license required — clearer credential signal to employers
check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+12.1%)
check_circleLow AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if a respiratory therapist career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the steps to becoming a respiratory therapist in Connecticut? expand_more

In Connecticut, becoming a respiratory therapist requires you to complete the required education (Associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program), pass the NBRC CRT or RRT exam, and submit your application ($190 fee).

Is a respiratory therapist license required in Connecticut? expand_more

Connecticut mandates state licensure for respiratory therapists. Connecticut Department of Public Health oversees the process, which includes passing the NBRC CRT or RRT exam.

How much does a respiratory therapist make in Connecticut? expand_more

The median respiratory therapist salary in Connecticut is $83,250 per year. This is close to the national median of $80,450. New respiratory therapists start around $70,480; seasoned professionals can reach $101,900.

What's the timeline to become a respiratory therapist in Connecticut? expand_more

The typical timeline in Connecticut is 2 years (Associate degree) or 4 years (Bachelor's degree). This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.

What's required to renew a respiratory therapist license in Connecticut? expand_more

Connecticut requires 10.0 hours of continuing education every 1.0 year to maintain your respiratory therapist license.