How long does respiratory therapist training take in Alaska?

Most people become a Respiratory Therapist in Alaska through a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program, the NBRC RRT exams, and state respiratory care licensure.

How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Alaska (2026)

Q: How much do respiratory therapists earn in Alaska?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), respiratory therapists in Alaska earned a median annual wage of approximately $97,950. Employment concentration in Alaska is roughly 0.62 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

Q: What is the job outlook for respiratory therapists in Alaska?

Alaska currently employs approximately 180 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 12.1% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Alaska respiratory therapists earn a median annual wage of $97,950 ($47.09/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 180 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 19.0% above the national median of $82,280 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $97,950 ($47.09/hr)
25th percentile: $84,560 per year
75th percentile: $101,280 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $114,590 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $80,250 per year
Workers employed in Alaska: 180
Versus national median: 19.0% above the U.S. median of $82,280
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.62 - this occupation is less concentrated in Alaska than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed September 2, 2026.

Alaska employs about 180 respiratory therapists earning a median $97,950 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Respiratory Therapist here means completing a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program, the NBRC RRT exams, and state respiratory care licensure. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.

Alaska employs approximately 180 respiratory therapists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $97,950 ¹. Nationally, respiratory therapist employment is projected to grow 12.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 8,800 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a Respiratory Therapist in Alaska, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program (find programs)
Typical timeline: a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program, the NBRC RRT exams, and state respiratory care licensure
Exam: NBRC RRT (TMC and CSE)
Median wage (Alaska): $97,950 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Alaska

How to become a Respiratory Therapist in Alaska? Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program, the NBRC RRT exams, and state respiratory care licensure. Apply through the program and employer.

How long does it take? Most people finish a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program, the NBRC RRT exams, and state respiratory care licensure. Confirm current hour totals with the program and the program and employer.

Do I need a license in Alaska? Yes. Alaska typically registers this role through the program and employer. See the licensing section below.

What do respiratory therapists earn in Alaska? The median annual wage for respiratory therapists in Alaska is $97,950 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $80,250 and experienced professionals can earn $114,590 or more ¹.

How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Alaska

Meet program entry rules. Respiratory therapy programs in Alaska typically require a high school diploma or GED and science prerequisites. Confirm current rules with the program.
Complete a CoARC-accredited program. Enroll in a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program in Alaska, usually an associate degree. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
Pass the NBRC RRT exams. Pass the NBRC Therapist Multiple-Choice exam and Clinical Simulation Exam for the RRT credential. CRT-only practice is limited; confirm with the program and employer.
Apply for state respiratory care licensure. Apply through the program and employer before you practice. Confirm any jurisprudence or ethics exam with the board.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Respiratory Therapist License Requirements in Alaska

Respiratory therapists in Alaska complete a CoARC-accredited program, earn NBRC RRT, and apply to the program and employer for an RCP or equivalent license.

Typical path

Meet program entry rules.
Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.
Pass the NBRC RRT exams.
Apply to the program and employer for state licensure.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.

Respiratory Therapist Wages by Metro Area in Alaska

Respiratory Therapists Wages by Metro Area in Alaska

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), respiratory therapists wages in Alaska vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Anchorage	130	$97,950	$94,500	$79,950	$105,870

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for respiratory therapists in Alaska? Alaska currently employs approximately 180 respiratory therapists ¹. Nationally, respiratory therapist employment is projected to grow 12.1% from 2024 to 2034 ².

Can I work as a respiratory therapist in Alaska with an out-of-state license? Contact the program and employer for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in Alaska? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Alaska.

How much do respiratory therapists earn in Alaska compared to the national average? The median annual wage for respiratory therapists in Alaska is $97,950, which is $17,500 above the national median of $80,450 according to BLS data ¹.

In Alaska

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Citations

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/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

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

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)