Best Respiratory Therapy Schools in Albany, Oregon (2026)

Respiratory Therapists in Oregon earn a median $100,560 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). This page lists respiratory therapy schools near Albany, sorted by distance, with program lengths, credentials, and local wage data so you can compare training options.

Key Facts

  • Oregon median wage: $100,560/yr
  • National job outlook: +12.1% (2024-2034), ~8,800 openings/yr
  • Oregon employment: 1,340 workers
  • Pay range (10th-90th pct): $81,490 to $120,060
  • Typical program length: 4-12 months (certificate/diploma)

Sources: BLS OEWS, May 2025; BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034; IPEDS / program catalogs, 2024.


Respiratory Therapy Schools near Albany

How we rank schools – graduation rate, graduate earnings, cost and retention. Advertising plays no part.

This page lists 5 schools within 194 miles, closest group first, then ordered by BOC Score with the highest at the top. 4 of them carry a score. 1 does not have enough federal outcome data to score, and appears last rather than being hidden.

Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate how often students finish
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry whether it paid off
25%
Average net price what students actually pay after aid; lower ranks higher
20%
Retention rate how many come back for year two
15%
Fully online availability whether you can study while working
10%

Scores come from IPEDS (2024) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are for all graduates of a school, not one program, so treat them as a signal about the institution rather than about this subject. Sponsored listings are paid placements and are labelled as such; they are separate from this ranking and never change it. Read the full methodology.

#1

Tacoma Community College

Tacoma, WA 183.1 miles away BOC Score 68.9
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 32.1% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 27
  • Annual completions: 911
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $55,189 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#2

Highline College

Des Moines, WA 194.5 miles away BOC Score 68.6
Tuition $4,772 - $18,812
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 37.2%
  • Programs offered: 39
  • Annual completions: 392
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $59,261 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#3

Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR 176.4 miles away BOC Score 61.2
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 56.3% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 27
  • Annual completions: 650
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $87,138 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#4

Mt Hood Community College

Gresham, OR 70.2 miles away BOC Score 48.8
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 24.9% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 56
  • Annual completions: 627
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $52,184 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

Concorde Career College-Portland

Portland, OR 65.9 miles away
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 72.8% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 12
  • Annual completions: 485
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $47,190 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

Respiratory Therapist Pay and Job Outlook

Annual Wage by Percentile, United States - Respiratory Therapists
Respiratory Therapists annual wage percentiles, BLS OEWS May 2025P10 $63660, P25 $74520, P50 $82280, P75 $98730, P90 $118050.10th$63,66025th$74,52050th (median)$82,28075th$98,73090th$118,050
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
Respiratory Therapists annual wage percentiles
PercentileAnnual wage
10th$63,660
25th$74,520
50th (median)$82,280
75th$98,730
90th$118,050
Projected employment growth, United States, Respiratory Therapists, 2024-2034
Respiratory Therapists employment 2024 vs 2034 projection, BLS Employment Projections2024 employment 139600; 2034 projected employment 156400; percent change +12.1%.2024139,600 jobs2034 (proj.)156,400 jobsChange: +12.1%
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034
Respiratory Therapists employment projection 2024 to 2034
YearEmployment
2024139,600
2034 projected156,400
Percent change+12.1%

How to become a Respiratory Therapist in Oregon

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most accredited Respiratory Therapist programs require a high school diploma or GED for admission.
  2. Complete an accredited or state-approved program. Enroll in an accredited or state-approved Respiratory Therapist certificate, diploma, or degree program that combines classroom instruction with hands-on labs.
  3. Complete clinical or externship hours. Finish the required supervised clinical, lab, or externship hours to build real-world experience before you graduate. Confirm hour totals with each program.
  4. Earn your credential or license. Pass the required exam and obtain the NBRC CRT or RRT credential and a state license (required in most states). Confirm the exact steps with the Oregon licensing board.
  5. Apply for Respiratory Therapist roles. Apply to clinics, hospitals, and healthcare employers in Oregon. Keep credentials current and verify any facility-specific requirements.

Respiratory Therapist roles are regulated in many states. Confirm the current credential and any license requirements with the Oregon board before enrolling - requirements change.

Training Pathways & Clinical Hours

Most respiratory therapy workers train through a short postsecondary certificate or diploma that combines classroom instruction with supervised clinical, lab, or externship hours. A smaller number enter through registered apprenticeships or employer-sponsored training; confirm hour totals and clinical placement details with each program before enrolling.

What You Study

Respiratory Therapist programs typically blend healthcare fundamentals - anatomy, medical terminology, infection control, and patient safety - with the hands-on skills specific to the role, practiced in labs and a supervised clinical or externship. Coursework can also prepare you for the certification or licensing exam where one applies.

Tips for Choosing a Respiratory Therapy Program

  • Confirm the program is accredited or state-approved for the credential you plan to earn.
  • Ask how clinical, lab, or externship placements are arranged and how many hours are required.
  • Compare day, evening, and accelerated schedules that fit your work and family commitments.
  • Review certification exam pass rates (if published) and ask about career support services. Individual outcomes may vary.

In Oregon

Next Steps

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does respiratory therapy training take near Albany?

Most Respiratory Therapist programs are short certificate or diploma tracks that take roughly 4 to 12 months of full-time study; degree tracks (where they exist) run longer. Actual length depends on schedule, clinical hours, and any prerequisites.

How much do respiratory therapy workers earn in Oregon?

According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (BLS OEWS May 2025), Respiratory Therapists in Oregon earned a median annual wage of approximately $100,560. Pay varies with experience, certification, and employer; the 10th to 90th percentile range in Oregon was about $81,490 to $120,060 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Is respiratory therapy a growing career?

BLS Employment Projections (2024-2034) estimate national employment for Respiratory Therapists will change +12.1%, with about 8,800 openings per year, including replacements.

Do I need a license to work as a Respiratory Therapist in Oregon?

This is a regulated role: most workers need the NBRC CRT or RRT credential and a state license (required in most states). Requirements vary by state, so confirm the exact steps with the Oregon licensing board before enrolling.


About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)