Respiratory Therapist in Pennsylvania

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

Median annual salary

$76,160

trending_down -5.3% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Pennsylvania.

engineering

5,850

Jobs (PA)

monitoring Surging

+12.1%

10-yr job growth

payments

$30

Licensing fees

schedule

2-4 years (Associate degree)

Time to complete

route How to become a respiratory therapist in Pennsylvania

To become a licensed Respiratory Therapist in Pennsylvania, individuals must graduate from a CoARC-accredited respiratory care program, typically an Associate degree. Applicants must pass the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) exam and complete a state application. A criminal history records check is required, and initial licensure requires 3 hours of child abuse recognition and reporting continuing education. Pennsylvania also offers licensure by endorsement for out-of-state professionals who meet specific criteria, including holding CRT or RRT credentials and having an active, good-standing license from another state with substantially equivalent requirements.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $61,440

25th percentile $64,390

50th (median) $76,160

75th percentile $81,390

90th (experienced) $97,490

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

checklist Pennsylvania requirements

Licensing body	State Board of Medicine / State Board of Osteopathic Medicine
State license	Required
Education	Associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program
Exam	NBRC CRT exam
Application fee	$30
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	30.0 hours per cycle
Notes	CE must include 2 hours of child abuse recognition and reporting, 1 hour in medical ethics, and 1 hour in patient safety. A criminal history records check is required. Initial applicants must complete 3 hours of Board-approved continuing education in child abuse recognition and reporting. A temporary permit is available for up to one year for new graduates who have applied for licensure and meet certain requirements, or are within 30 days of graduation. The temporary permit expires if the holder fails the NBRC exam. Minimum age not specified.

Source: State Board of Medicine / State Board of Osteopathic Medicine

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_circlePennsylvania 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 I become a respiratory therapist in Pennsylvania? expand_more

Pennsylvania requires respiratory therapists to complete the required education (Associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program), pass the NBRC CRT exam, and submit your application ($30 fee).

Does Pennsylvania require respiratory therapist licensure? expand_more

Pennsylvania mandates state licensure for respiratory therapists. State Board of Medicine / State Board of Osteopathic Medicine oversees the process, which includes passing the NBRC CRT exam.

How much does a respiratory therapist make in Pennsylvania? expand_more

Pennsylvania respiratory therapists bring home a median salary of $76,160. That's 5% below the national median of $80,450. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $61,440, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $97,490.

How quickly can I become a respiratory therapist in Pennsylvania? expand_more

Expect to spend 2-4 years (Associate degree) from start to finish in Pennsylvania — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.

Does Pennsylvania require continuing education for respiratory therapists? expand_more

To keep your license active, Pennsylvania mandates 30.0 CE hours every 2.0 years.