Respiratory Therapist in Maryland

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

Median annual salary

$85,570

trending_up +6.4% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Maryland.

engineering

1,890

Jobs (MD)

monitoring Surging

+12.1%

10-yr job growth

payments

$615

Licensing fees

schedule

3-6 weeks for application processing

Time to complete

route How to become a respiratory therapist in Maryland

To become a licensed Respiratory Therapist in Maryland, individuals must graduate from a CoARC-accredited respiratory care program and pass the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) or Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) examinations (TMC and CSE exams). The licensing body is the Maryland Board of Physicians. The application process typically takes 3-6 weeks, and a criminal history records check is required. Maryland offers reciprocity for licensees from other states with substantially equivalent requirements.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $71,160

25th percentile $82,010

50th (median) $85,570

75th percentile $99,230

90th (experienced) $104,070

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

checklist Maryland requirements

Licensing body	Maryland Board of Physicians
State license	Required
Education	Associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program
Exam	NBRC CRT or RRT (TMC and CSE exams) ($390)
Application fee	$225
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	16.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Applicants must be at least 18 years old and of good moral character. A criminal history records check is required. First-time renewals are exempt from continuing education requirements. Beginning with 2022 license renewals, a one-time attestation of completion of an implicit bias training course is required. English language competency must be demonstrated.

Source: Maryland Board of Physicians

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_circleMaryland 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 Maryland? expand_more

In Maryland, becoming a respiratory therapist requires you to complete the required education (Associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program), pass the NBRC CRT or RRT (TMC and CSE exams), and submit your application ($225 fee).

Do I need a license to work as a respiratory therapist in Maryland? expand_more

A state license is required in Maryland. Maryland Board of Physicians handles respiratory therapist licensing — the NBRC CRT or RRT (TMC and CSE exams) is part of the process.

How much do respiratory therapists make in Maryland? expand_more

The median respiratory therapist salary in Maryland is $85,570 per year. That's 6% above the national median of $80,450. Wages range from $71,160 (10th percentile) up to $104,070 (90th percentile).

What are the fees to become a respiratory therapist in Maryland? expand_more

Between exam fee ($390) and application fee ($225), expect to invest around varies in total to get started.

How long does it take to become a respiratory therapist in Maryland? expand_more

In Maryland, becoming a respiratory therapist generally takes 3-6 weeks for application processing, accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

What are the continuing education requirements for respiratory therapists in Maryland? expand_more

Maryland requires 16.0 hours of continuing education every 2.0 years to maintain your respiratory therapist license.