How long does respiratory therapist training take in District of Columbia?

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

Do respiratory therapists need a license in District of Columbia?

Yes. District of Columbia requires state-level licensing or registration for respiratory therapists, administered by the Department of Health - Health Regulation Administration. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in District of Columbia (2026)

Q: How much do respiratory therapists earn in District of Columbia?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), respiratory therapists in District of Columbia earned a median annual wage of approximately $111,950. Employment concentration in District of Columbia is roughly 0.69 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 District of Columbia?

District of Columbia currently employs approximately 430 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

District of Columbia respiratory therapists earn a median annual wage of $111,950 ($53.82/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 430 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 36.1% above the national median of $82,280 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $111,950 ($53.82/hr)
25th percentile: $98,900 per year
75th percentile: $127,400 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $127,400 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $77,240 per year
Workers employed in District of Columbia: 430
Versus national median: 36.1% above the U.S. median of $82,280
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.69 - this occupation is less concentrated in District of Columbia than the national average

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

District of Columbia employs about 430 respiratory therapists earning a median $111,950 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, then applying through Department of Health - Health Regulation Administration.

District of Columbia employs approximately 430 respiratory therapists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $111,950 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 District of Columbia, 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
Licensing authority: Department of Health - Health Regulation Administration
Exam: NBRC RRT (TMC and CSE)
Median wage (District of Columbia): $111,950 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in District of Columbia

How to become a Respiratory Therapist in District of Columbia? Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program, the NBRC RRT exams, and state respiratory care licensure. Apply through Department of Health - Health Regulation Administration.

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 Department of Health - Health Regulation Administration.

Do I need a license in District of Columbia? Yes. District of Columbia credentials this role through Department of Health - Health Regulation Administration ³. See the licensing section below.

What do respiratory therapists earn in District of Columbia? The median annual wage for respiratory therapists in District of Columbia is $111,950 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $77,240 and experienced professionals can earn $127,400 or more ¹.

How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in District of Columbia

Meet program entry rules. Respiratory therapy programs in District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia, 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 Department of Health - Health Regulation Administration.
Apply for state respiratory care licensure. Apply through Department of Health - Health Regulation Administration 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 District of Columbia

Respiratory therapists in District of Columbia complete a CoARC-accredited program, earn NBRC RRT, and apply to Department of Health - Health Regulation Administration for an RCP or equivalent license. See Department of Health - Health Regulation Administration ³.

Typical path

Meet program entry rules.
Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.
Pass the NBRC RRT exams.
Apply to Department of Health - Health Regulation Administration for state licensure.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Department of Health - Health Regulation Administration before you enroll.

Respiratory Therapist Wages by Metro Area in District of Columbia

Respiratory Therapists Wages by Metro Area in District of Columbia

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria	1,850	$101,990	$100,450	$79,410	$127,400

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 District of Columbia? District of Columbia currently employs approximately 430 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 District of Columbia with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Health - Health Regulation Administration for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do respiratory therapists earn in District of Columbia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for respiratory therapists in District of Columbia is $111,950, which is $31,500 above the national median of $80,450 according to BLS data ¹.

In District of Columbia

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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Department of Health - Health Regulation Administration - Licensing Information: https://dchealth.dc.gov/service/professional-license-applications ↩︎ ↩︎

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)