Respiratory Therapist in Kansas

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

Median annual salary
$73,580
trending_down -8.5% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Kansas.

engineering
1,260

Jobs (KS)

monitoring Surging
+12.1%

10-yr job growth

payments
$290

Licensing fees

schedule
2-4 years

Time to complete

route How to become a respiratory therapist in Kansas

To become a licensed Respiratory Therapist in Kansas, individuals must obtain a state license from the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts. This requires graduating from a CoARC-accredited associate degree program, passing the NBRC Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) examination, and submitting an application with a fee. Kansas offers reciprocity for NBRC-credentialed applicants from other states and requires a criminal background check.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $56,690
25th percentile $64,720
50th (median) $73,580
75th percentile $79,950
90th (experienced) $90,620

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

checklist Kansas requirements

Licensing bodyKansas State Board of Healing Arts
State license Required
EducationAssociate degree from a CoARC-accredited program
ExamNBRC CRT or RRT exam ($190)
Application fee$100
RenewalEvery 1.0 year
Continuing education12.0 hours per cycle
NotesA criminal background check is required. At least six contact hours of continuing education per cycle must be obtained from seminars or symposiums that provide for direct interaction between speakers and participants. Kansas has a Respiratory Care Interstate Compact to facilitate interstate practice.

Source: Kansas State Board of Healing Arts

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_circleKansas 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

How do you get certified as a respiratory therapist in Kansas? expand_more
The path to respiratory therapist licensure in Kansas: complete the required education (Associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program), pass the NBRC CRT or RRT exam, and submit your application ($100 fee).
Does Kansas require respiratory therapist licensure? expand_more
A state license is required in Kansas. Kansas State Board of Healing Arts handles respiratory therapist licensing — the NBRC CRT or RRT exam is part of the process.
How much does a respiratory therapist make in Kansas? expand_more
In Kansas, the median pay for respiratory therapists comes to $73,580/year. — 9% under the $80,450 national average. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $56,690, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $90,620.
What's the total cost to get respiratory therapist certified in Kansas? expand_more
Costs include exam fee ($190) and application fee ($100). The estimated total investment is varies, including education and training.
How quickly can I become a respiratory therapist in Kansas? expand_more
Expect to spend 2-4 years from start to finish in Kansas — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.
How many CE hours do respiratory therapists need in Kansas? expand_more
Kansas requires 12.0 hours of continuing education every 1.0 year to maintain your respiratory therapist license.

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