How long does respiratory therapist training take in Louisiana?

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

How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Louisiana (2026)

Q: How much do respiratory therapists earn in Louisiana?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), respiratory therapists in Louisiana earned a median annual wage of approximately $75,240. Employment concentration in Louisiana is about 1.45 times the national average for this occupation.

Q: Do respiratory therapists need a license in Louisiana?

Yes. Louisiana requires state-level licensing or registration for respiratory therapists, administered by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

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

Louisiana currently employs approximately 2,520 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

Louisiana respiratory therapists earn a median annual wage of $75,240 ($36.17/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 2,520 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -8.6% below the national median of $82,280 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $75,240 ($36.17/hr)
25th percentile: $64,440 per year
75th percentile: $80,150 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $91,200 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $61,520 per year
Workers employed in Louisiana: 2,520
Versus national median: -8.6% below the U.S. median of $82,280
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.45 - this occupation is more concentrated in Louisiana than the national average

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

Louisiana employs about 2,520 respiratory therapists earning a median $75,240 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 Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners.

Louisiana employs approximately 2,520 respiratory therapists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $75,240 ¹. The state’s concentration of respiratory therapist jobs is 1.45x 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 Louisiana, 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: Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners
Exam: NBRC RRT (TMC and CSE)
Median wage (Louisiana): $75,240 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Louisiana

How to become a Respiratory Therapist in Louisiana? Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program, the NBRC RRT exams, and state respiratory care licensure. Apply through Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana State Board of Medical 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 Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners.

Do I need a license in Louisiana? Yes. Louisiana credentials this role through Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners ³. See the licensing section below.

What do respiratory therapists earn in Louisiana? The median annual wage for respiratory therapists in Louisiana is $75,240 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $61,520 and experienced professionals can earn $91,200 or more ¹.

How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Louisiana

Meet program entry rules. Respiratory therapy programs in Louisiana 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 Louisiana, 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 Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners.
Apply for state respiratory care licensure. Apply through Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana State Board of Medical 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 Louisiana

Respiratory therapists in Louisiana complete a CoARC-accredited program, earn NBRC RRT, and apply to Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners for an RCP or equivalent license. See Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners ³.

Typical path

Meet program entry rules.
Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.
Pass the NBRC RRT exams.
Apply to Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners for state licensure.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners before you enroll.

Respiratory Therapist Wages by Metro Area in Louisiana

Respiratory Therapists Wages by Metro Area in Louisiana

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
New Orleans-Metairie	620	$76,590	$76,520	$63,230	$93,250
Baton Rouge	320	$74,220	$77,230	$60,420	$98,060
Lafayette	290	$76,210	$75,670	$61,460	$87,070
Shreveport-Bossier City	280	$73,940	$74,300	$63,940	$87,430
Slidell-Mandeville-Covington	230	$76,680	$74,040	$62,990	$80,130
Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux	120	$62,260	$67,560	$55,070	$84,480
Alexandria	110	$71,140	$73,300	$59,180	$82,510
Monroe	90	$75,770	$73,210	$61,270	$93,130
Hammond	80	$75,990	$79,610	$63,940	$97,790
Lake Charles	60	$73,680	$72,550	$58,640	$83,450

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 Louisiana? Louisiana currently employs approximately 2,520 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 Louisiana with an out-of-state license? Contact the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do respiratory therapists earn in Louisiana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for respiratory therapists in Louisiana is $75,240, which is $5,210 below the national median of $80,450 according to BLS data ¹.

In Louisiana

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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners - Licensing Information: http://www.lsbme.la.gov/licensure/acupuncturist ↩︎ ↩︎

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)