How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Kansas (2026)

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Kansas employs about 1,450 respiratory therapists earning a median $76,970 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 Kansas State Board of Healing Arts.

Kansas employs approximately 1,450 respiratory therapists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $76,970 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 Kansas, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Quick Answers About How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Kansas

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

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 Kansas State Board of Healing Arts.

Do I need a license in Kansas? Yes. Kansas credentials this role through Kansas State Board of Healing Arts 3. See the licensing section below.

What do respiratory therapists earn in Kansas? The median annual wage for respiratory therapists in Kansas is $76,970 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $60,470 and experienced professionals can earn $94,600 or more 1.

How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Kansas

  1. Meet program entry rules. Respiratory therapy programs in Kansas 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 Kansas, 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 Kansas State Board of Healing Arts.
  4. Apply for state respiratory care licensure. Apply through Kansas State Board of Healing Arts 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 Kansas

Respiratory therapists in Kansas complete a CoARC-accredited program, earn NBRC RRT, and apply to Kansas State Board of Healing Arts for an RCP or equivalent license. See Kansas State Board of Healing Arts 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 Kansas State Board of Healing Arts for state licensure.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Kansas State Board of Healing Arts before you enroll.

Respiratory Therapist Wages by Metro Area in Kansas

Respiratory Therapists Wages by Metro Area in Kansas

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Kansas City1,190$79,140$79,300$63,100$97,140
Wichita320$71,330$71,860$62,240$80,580
Joplin150$65,630$68,510$59,990$79,930
Topeka120$77,190$74,520$51,780$84,440
St. Joseph50$73,860$72,020$59,980$91,450

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 Kansas? Kansas currently employs approximately 1,450 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 Kansas with an out-of-state license? Contact the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do respiratory therapists earn in Kansas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for respiratory therapists in Kansas is $76,970, which is $3,480 below the national median of $80,450 according to BLS data 1.

In Kansas

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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. Kansas State Board of Healing Arts - Licensing Information: http://www.ksbha.org ↩︎ ↩︎

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)