Respiratory Therapist in Ohio

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

Median annual salary

$78,400

trending_down -2.5% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Ohio.

engineering

6,460

Jobs (OH)

monitoring Surging

+12.1%

10-yr job growth

payments

$75

Licensing fees

schedule

2-4 years

Time to complete

route How to become a respiratory therapist in Ohio

To become a licensed Respiratory Therapist in Ohio, individuals must graduate from a CoARC-accredited associate's degree program and pass both the Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) and Clinical Simulation (CSE) components of the NBRC RRT exam. A criminal records check is mandatory, and applicants must pay a $75 application fee. Ohio participates in the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, which facilitates licensure for qualified respiratory therapists from other compact states.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $63,730

25th percentile $71,740

50th (median) $78,400

75th percentile $82,950

90th (experienced) $94,490

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

checklist Ohio requirements

Licensing body	State Medical Board of Ohio
State license	Required
Education	Associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program
Exam	NBRC RRT exam (TMC and CSE components)
Application fee	$75
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	20.0 hours per cycle
Notes	A criminal records check (BCI and FBI) is required. At least one CE hour must be in Ohio respiratory care law or professional ethics, and at least 15 hours must be relevant to clinical respiratory care. The CRT credential no longer meets the minimum requirements for licensure in Ohio as of January 1, 2015. Applicants for license restoration must have successfully completed both the TMC and CSE examinations required for the RRT credential.

Source: State Medical Board of Ohio

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_circleOhio 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 Ohio? expand_more

The path to respiratory therapist licensure in Ohio: complete the required education (Associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program), pass the NBRC RRT exam (TMC and CSE components), and submit your application ($75 fee).

Is a respiratory therapist license required in Ohio? expand_more

Ohio mandates state licensure for respiratory therapists. State Medical Board of Ohio oversees the process, which includes passing the NBRC RRT exam (TMC and CSE components).

What do respiratory therapists earn in Ohio? expand_more

The median respiratory therapist salary in Ohio is $78,400 per year. This is close to the national median of $80,450. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $63,730, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $94,490.

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

In Ohio, becoming a respiratory therapist generally takes 2-4 years, accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

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

License renewal in Ohio requires completing 20.0 hours of continuing education on a 2.0-year cycle.