Respiratory Therapist in Oregon

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

Median annual salary

$96,130

trending_up +19.5% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Oregon.

engineering

1,410

Jobs (OR)

monitoring Surging

+12.1%

10-yr job growth

payments

$100

Licensing fees

route How to become a respiratory therapist in Oregon

To become a licensed Respiratory Therapist in Oregon, applicants must obtain an Associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program or an equivalent respiratory care education program. They must pass both the NBRC RRT exam and the Oregon Laws and Administrative Rules examination. A criminal background check is required, and applicants must be at least 18 years old. Oregon offers reciprocity for applicants licensed in other states with equivalent qualifications or those holding an active NBRC CRT or RRT credential.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $80,290

25th percentile $82,490

50th (median) $96,130

75th percentile $101,390

90th (experienced) $110,390

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

checklist Oregon requirements

Licensing body	Oregon Health Authority - Respiratory Therapist and Polysomnographic Technologist Licensing Board
State license	Required
Education	Associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program or a respiratory care education program approved by the American Medical Association in collaboration with the Joint Review Committee for Respiratory Therapy Education or their successors or equivalent organizations, as approved by the Respiratory Therapist and Polysomnographic Technologist Licensing Board. Proof of a high school diploma or equivalent is also required.
Exam	NBRC RRT exam and Oregon Laws and Administrative Rules examination
Application fee	$100
Renewal	Every 1.0 year
Continuing education	7.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age of 18. A criminal background check is required. CE must include one hour of cultural competency every other renewal cycle. At least 2.5 hours of CE must be related to clinical practice. Individuals licensed prior to January 1, 2018, with a CRT credential are not required to obtain the RRT credential.

Source: Oregon Health Authority - Respiratory Therapist and Polysomnographic Technologist Licensing Board

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_circleOregon 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 Oregon? expand_more

The path to respiratory therapist licensure in Oregon: complete the required education (Associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program or a respiratory care education program approved by the American Medical Association in collaboration with the Joint Review Committee for Respiratory Therapy Education or their successors or equivalent organizations, as approved by the Respiratory Therapist and Polysomnographic Technologist Licensing Board. Proof of a high school diploma or equivalent is also required.), pass the NBRC RRT exam and Oregon Laws and Administrative Rules examination, and submit your application ($100 fee).

Does Oregon require respiratory therapist licensure? expand_more

Yes, Oregon requires a state license to practice as a respiratory therapist. The licensing body is Oregon Health Authority - Respiratory Therapist and Polysomnographic Technologist Licensing Board. You must pass the NBRC RRT exam and Oregon Laws and Administrative Rules examination.

What do respiratory therapists earn in Oregon? expand_more

respiratory therapists in Oregon earn a median of $96,130 annually. This exceeds the $80,450 national median by 19%. The range spans from $80,290 at the entry level to $110,390 for top earners.

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

License renewal in Oregon requires completing 7.0 hours of continuing education on a 1.0-year cycle.