How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Arizona (2026)

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Arizona employs about 3,500 respiratory therapists earning a median $79,780 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, then applying through Board of Respiratory Care Examiners.

Arizona employs approximately 3,500 respiratory therapists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $79,780 1. The state’s concentration of respiratory therapist jobs is 1.20x the national average, indicating strong demand. 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 Arizona, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Quick Answers About How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Arizona

How to become a Respiratory Therapist in Arizona? Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program, the NBRC RRT exams, and state respiratory care licensure. Apply through Board of Respiratory Care Examiners.

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 Board of Respiratory Care Examiners.

Do I need a license in Arizona? Yes. Arizona credentials this role through Board of Respiratory Care Examiners 3. See the licensing section below.

What do respiratory therapists earn in Arizona? The median annual wage for respiratory therapists in Arizona is $79,780 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $64,780 and experienced professionals can earn $99,180 or more 1.

How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Arizona

  1. Meet program entry rules. Respiratory therapy programs in Arizona typically require a high school diploma or GED and science prerequisites. Confirm current rules with the program.
  2. Complete a CoARC-accredited program. Enroll in a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program in Arizona, usually an associate degree. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
  3. 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 Board of Respiratory Care Examiners.
  4. Apply for state respiratory care licensure. Apply through Board of Respiratory Care Examiners 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 Arizona

Respiratory therapists in Arizona complete a CoARC-accredited program, earn NBRC RRT, and apply to Board of Respiratory Care Examiners for an RCP or equivalent license. See Board of Respiratory Care Examiners 3.

Typical path

  1. Meet program entry rules.

  2. Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.

  3. Pass the NBRC RRT exams.

  4. Apply to Board of Respiratory Care Examiners for state licensure.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Board of Respiratory Care Examiners before you enroll.

Respiratory Therapist Wages by Metro Area in Arizona

Respiratory Therapists Wages by Metro Area in Arizona

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler2,600$79,760$81,710$64,740$100,360
Tucson540$78,320$77,910$60,440$93,390
Yuma80$73,580$78,040$56,660$96,260
Lake Havasu City-Kingman60$82,200$79,150$66,000$83,050
Prescott Valley-Prescott60$86,220$84,490$74,110$100,780
Sierra Vista-Douglas40$78,600$78,060$65,290$88,360

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 Arizona? Arizona currently employs approximately 3,500 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 Arizona with an out-of-state license? Contact the Board of Respiratory Care Examiners for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do respiratory therapists earn in Arizona compared to the national average? The median annual wage for respiratory therapists in Arizona is $79,780, which is $670 below the national median of $80,450 according to BLS data 1.

In Arizona

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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

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

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. Board of Respiratory Care Examiners - Licensing Information: https://respiratoryboard.az.gov/ ↩︎ ↩︎

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)
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)