How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Iowa (2026)

Q: How long does respiratory therapist training take in Iowa?

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

Q: How much do respiratory therapists earn in Iowa?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), respiratory therapists in Iowa earned a median annual wage of approximately $74,760. Employment concentration in Iowa is roughly 0.65 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

Q: Do respiratory therapists need a license in Iowa?

Yes. Iowa requires state-level licensing or registration for respiratory therapists, administered by the Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing - Iowa Board of Respiratory Care and Polysomnography. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

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

Iowa currently employs approximately 910 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

Iowa respiratory therapists earn a median annual wage of $74,760 ($35.94/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 910 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -9.1% below the national median of $82,280 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $74,760 ($35.94/hr)
25th percentile: $64,670 per year
75th percentile: $80,730 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $86,510 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $62,860 per year
Workers employed in Iowa: 910
Versus national median: -9.1% below the U.S. median of $82,280
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.65 - this occupation is less concentrated in Iowa than the national average

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

Iowa employs about 910 respiratory therapists earning a median $74,760 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 Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing - Iowa Board of Respiratory Care and Polysomnography.

Iowa employs approximately 910 respiratory therapists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $74,760 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 Iowa, 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 Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing - Iowa Board of Respiratory Care and Polysomnography
Exam: NBRC RRT (TMC and CSE)
Median wage (Iowa): $74,760 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Iowa

How to become a Respiratory Therapist in Iowa? Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program, the NBRC RRT exams, and state respiratory care licensure. Apply through Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing - Iowa Board of Respiratory Care and Polysomnography.

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 Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing - Iowa Board of Respiratory Care and Polysomnography.

Do I need a license in Iowa? Yes. Iowa credentials this role through Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing - Iowa Board of Respiratory Care and Polysomnography ³. See the licensing section below.

What do respiratory therapists earn in Iowa? The median annual wage for respiratory therapists in Iowa is $74,760 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $62,860 and experienced professionals can earn $86,510 or more ¹.

How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Iowa

Meet program entry rules. Respiratory therapy programs in Iowa 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 Iowa, 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 Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing - Iowa Board of Respiratory Care and Polysomnography.
Apply for state respiratory care licensure. Apply through Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing - Iowa Board of Respiratory Care and Polysomnography 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 Iowa

Respiratory therapists in Iowa complete a CoARC-accredited program, earn NBRC RRT, and apply to Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing - Iowa Board of Respiratory Care and Polysomnography for an RCP or equivalent license. See Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing - Iowa Board of Respiratory Care and Polysomnography ³.

Typical path

Meet program entry rules.
Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.
Pass the NBRC RRT exams.
Apply to Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing - Iowa Board of Respiratory Care and Polysomnography for state licensure.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing - Iowa Board of Respiratory Care and Polysomnography before you enroll.

Respiratory Therapist Wages by Metro Area in Iowa

Respiratory Therapists Wages by Metro Area in Iowa

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Omaha	460	$81,270	$79,940	$64,100	$99,090
Des Moines-West Des Moines	200	$75,650	$74,040	$63,740	$84,260
Iowa City	150	$75,110	$76,700	$66,010	$86,510
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island	100	$75,460	$71,760	$62,510	$81,220
Cedar Rapids	70	$66,830	$69,670	$62,600	$80,960
Waterloo-Cedar Falls	70	$65,070	$68,760	$56,550	$80,240
Dubuque	40	$74,190	$70,610	$64,260	$78,040
Sioux City	40	$63,800	$68,580	$63,760	$82,010

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 Iowa? Iowa currently employs approximately 910 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 Iowa with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing - Iowa Board of Respiratory Care and Polysomnography for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do respiratory therapists earn in Iowa compared to the national average? The median annual wage for respiratory therapists in Iowa is $74,760, which is $5,690 below the national median of $80,450 according to BLS data ¹.

In Iowa

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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 Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing - Iowa Board of Respiratory Care and Polysomnography - Licensing Information: https://dial.iowa.gov/about/boards/respiratory-care ↩︎ ↩︎

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)