Respiratory Therapist in Missouri

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

Median annual salary

$73,880

trending_down -8.2% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Missouri.

engineering

3,270

Jobs (MO)

monitoring Surging

+12.1%

10-yr job growth

payments

$240

Licensing fees

schedule

2 years (Associate degree) + exam and application processing

Time to complete

route How to become a respiratory therapist in Missouri

To become a licensed Respiratory Therapist in Missouri, individuals must graduate from a CoARC-accredited Associate degree program and pass the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) exam. The licensing body is the Missouri Board for Respiratory Care. A criminal background check is required for all applicants. Missouri offers reciprocity for licensed respiratory therapists from other states or territories with equivalent qualifications and at least one year of licensure.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $57,590

25th percentile $64,360

50th (median) $73,880

75th percentile $81,980

90th (experienced) $93,140

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

checklist Missouri requirements

Licensing body	Missouri Board for Respiratory Care
State license	Required
Education	Associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program
Exam	NBRC CRT or RRT exam ($200)
Application fee	$40
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	24.0 hours per cycle
Notes	A criminal background check is required. Applicants may obtain a conditional license while awaiting a background check, valid for no more than twelve months and non-renewable. The NBRC exam system is changing in January 2027, replacing the TMC + CSE with a single 'Respiratory Therapy Examination' (185 questions, 4 hours, $360 new applicants / $300 repeat) with two cut scores for CRT or RRT. The CRT-to-Registry pathway is eliminated December 31, 2026. The CSE remains available through December 31, 2027, for those who passed TMC high cut before that date.

Source: Missouri Board for Respiratory Care

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_circleMissouri 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 Missouri? expand_more

The path to respiratory therapist licensure in Missouri: complete the required education (Associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program), pass the NBRC CRT or RRT exam, and submit your application ($40 fee).

Does Missouri require respiratory therapist licensure? expand_more

Yes, Missouri requires a state license to practice as a respiratory therapist. The licensing body is Missouri Board for Respiratory Care. You must pass the NBRC CRT or RRT exam.

How much does a respiratory therapist make in Missouri? expand_more

The median respiratory therapist salary in Missouri is $73,880 per year. That's 8% below the national median of $80,450. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $57,590, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $93,140.

What's the total cost to get respiratory therapist certified in Missouri? expand_more

The full cost to enter the field runs about varies, factoring in exam fee ($200) and application fee ($40) and required training.

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

The typical timeline in Missouri is 2 years (Associate degree) + exam and application processing. This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.

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

To keep your license active, Missouri mandates 24.0 CE hours every 2.0 years.