Respiratory Therapist in Minnesota

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

Median annual salary

$88,040

trending_up +9.4% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Minnesota.

engineering

1,190

Jobs (MN)

monitoring Surging

+12.1%

10-yr job growth

payments

$612

Licensing fees

schedule

2 years (Associate degree)

Time to complete

route How to become a respiratory therapist in Minnesota

To become a licensed Respiratory Therapist in Minnesota, individuals must complete an Associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program and pass either the NBRC CRT or RRT exam. The licensing body is the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice. A criminal background check is required, and applicants must be at least 18 years old. Minnesota offers reciprocity for licensed respiratory therapists from other states who meet specific work experience requirements.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $71,740

25th percentile $81,550

50th (median) $88,040

75th percentile $97,190

90th (experienced) $100,600

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

checklist Minnesota requirements

Licensing body	Minnesota Board of Medical Practice
State license	Required
Education	Associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program
Exam	NBRC CRT or RRT exam ($390)
Application fee	$222
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	24.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age 18. A criminal background check is required. Applicants for reciprocity must have worked at least 8 weeks in the previous 5 years as a respiratory therapist and hold a current, unrestricted credential in another state.

Source: Minnesota Board of Medical Practice

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_circleMinnesota 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 Minnesota? expand_more

Minnesota 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 ($222 fee).

Does Minnesota require respiratory therapist licensure? expand_more

Yes, Minnesota requires a state license to practice as a respiratory therapist. The licensing body is Minnesota Board of Medical Practice. You must pass the NBRC CRT or RRT exam.

What do respiratory therapists earn in Minnesota? expand_more

The median respiratory therapist salary in Minnesota is $88,040 per year. This exceeds the $80,450 national median by 9%. Wages range from $71,740 (10th percentile) up to $100,600 (90th percentile).

How much does it cost to become a respiratory therapist in Minnesota? expand_more

The full cost to enter the field runs about varies, factoring in exam fee ($390) and application fee ($222) and required training.

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

In Minnesota, becoming a respiratory therapist generally takes 2 years (Associate degree), accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

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

Yes — respiratory therapists in Minnesota must complete 24.0 CE hours every 2.0 years to stay licensed.