Respiratory Therapist in Hawaii

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

Median annual salary
$94,670
trending_up +17.7% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Hawaii.

engineering
310

Jobs (HI)

monitoring Surging
+12.1%

10-yr job growth

payments
$260

Licensing fees

schedule
2-4 years (education) + exam/application processing

Time to complete

route How to become a respiratory therapist in Hawaii

To become a licensed Respiratory Therapist in Hawaii, individuals must first complete an Associate's degree from a CoARC-accredited program. Subsequently, applicants need to pass either the NBRC CRT or RRT examination. The licensing body is the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs - Professional & Vocational Licensing, and applicants must be at least 18 years old and authorized to work in the U.S. Hawaii offers reciprocity for licensees from other states if their initial licensing requirements were equivalent or higher than Hawaii's.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $85,700
25th percentile $86,590
50th (median) $94,670
75th percentile $98,680
90th (experienced) $101,000

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

checklist Hawaii requirements

Licensing bodyHawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs - Professional & Vocational Licensing
State license Required
EducationAssociate degree from a CoARC-accredited program
ExamNBRC CRT or RRT exam ($200)
Application fee$60
RenewalEvery 3.0 years
NotesMinimum age is 18. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or an alien authorized to work in the U.S. While Hawaii does not have a state CE requirement, active NBRC certification is required for renewal, which has its own CE requirements.

Source: Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs - Professional & Vocational Licensing

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_circleHawaii license required — clearer credential signal to employers
  • check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+12.1%)
  • check_circleLow AI disruption risk
psychology
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Frequently asked questions

How do I become a respiratory therapist in Hawaii? expand_more
Hawaii requires respiratory therapists to complete the required education (Associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program), pass the NBRC CRT or RRT exam, and submit your application ($60 fee).
Do I need a license to work as a respiratory therapist in Hawaii? expand_more
A state license is required in Hawaii. Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs - Professional & Vocational Licensing handles respiratory therapist licensing — the NBRC CRT or RRT exam is part of the process.
What is the average respiratory therapist salary in Hawaii? expand_more
In Hawaii, the median pay for respiratory therapists comes to $94,670/year. That's 18% above the national median of $80,450. The range spans from $85,700 at the entry level to $101,000 for top earners.
How much does it cost to become a respiratory therapist in Hawaii? expand_more
Between exam fee ($200) and application fee ($60), expect to invest around varies in total to get started.
How many months or years does respiratory therapist certification take in Hawaii? expand_more
In Hawaii, becoming a respiratory therapist generally takes 2-4 years (education) + exam/application processing, accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

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