How long does respiratory therapist training take in Hawaii?

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

How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Hawaii (2026)

Q: How much do respiratory therapists earn in Hawaii?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), respiratory therapists in Hawaii earned a median annual wage of approximately $94,210.

Q: Do respiratory therapists need a license in Hawaii?

Yes. Hawaii requires state-level licensing or registration for respiratory therapists, administered by the Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Professional and Vocational Licensing Division - Respiratory Therapist Program. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

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

Hawaii currently employs approximately 510 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

Hawaii employs about 510 respiratory therapists earning a median $94,210 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 Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Professional and Vocational Licensing Division - Respiratory Therapist Program.

Hawaii employs approximately 510 respiratory therapists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $94,210 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 Hawaii, 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: Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Professional and Vocational Licensing Division - Respiratory Therapist Program
Exam: NBRC RRT (TMC and CSE)
Median wage (Hawaii): $94,210 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Hawaii

How to become a Respiratory Therapist in Hawaii? Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program, the NBRC RRT exams, and state respiratory care licensure. Apply through Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Professional and Vocational Licensing Division - Respiratory Therapist Program.

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 Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Professional and Vocational Licensing Division - Respiratory Therapist Program.

Do I need a license in Hawaii? Yes. Hawaii credentials this role through Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Professional and Vocational Licensing Division - Respiratory Therapist Program ³. See the licensing section below.

What do respiratory therapists earn in Hawaii? The median annual wage for respiratory therapists in Hawaii is $94,210 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $80,130 and experienced professionals can earn $102,780 or more ¹.

How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Hawaii

Meet program entry rules. Respiratory therapy programs in Hawaii 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 Hawaii, 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 Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Professional and Vocational Licensing Division - Respiratory Therapist Program.
Apply for state respiratory care licensure. Apply through Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Professional and Vocational Licensing Division - Respiratory Therapist Program 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 Hawaii

Respiratory therapists in Hawaii complete a CoARC-accredited program, earn NBRC RRT, and apply to Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Professional and Vocational Licensing Division - Respiratory Therapist Program for an RCP or equivalent license. See Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Professional and Vocational Licensing Division - Respiratory Therapist Program ³.

Typical path

Meet program entry rules.
Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.
Pass the NBRC RRT exams.
Apply to Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Professional and Vocational Licensing Division - Respiratory Therapist Program for state licensure.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Professional and Vocational Licensing Division - Respiratory Therapist Program before you enroll.

Respiratory Therapist Wages by Metro Area in Hawaii

Respiratory Therapists Wages by Metro Area in Hawaii

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Urban Honolulu	440	$94,210	$92,940	$80,130	$102,780

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 Hawaii? Hawaii currently employs approximately 510 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 Hawaii with an out-of-state license? Contact the Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Professional and Vocational Licensing Division - Respiratory Therapist Program for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do respiratory therapists earn in Hawaii compared to the national average? The median annual wage for respiratory therapists in Hawaii is $94,210, which is $13,760 above the national median of $80,450 according to BLS data ¹.

In Hawaii

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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Professional and Vocational Licensing Division - Respiratory Therapist Program - Licensing Information: http://cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/programs/respiratory/ ↩︎ ↩︎

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)