How long does respiratory therapist training take in Mississippi?

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

How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Mississippi (2026)

Q: How much do respiratory therapists earn in Mississippi?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), respiratory therapists in Mississippi earned a median annual wage of approximately $63,270. Employment concentration in Mississippi is about 1.60 times the national average for this occupation.

Q: Do respiratory therapists need a license in Mississippi?

Yes. Mississippi requires state-level licensing or registration for respiratory therapists, administered by the MS State Dept. of Health - Professional Licensure Division - Office of Licensure. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

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

Mississippi currently employs approximately 1,670 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

Mississippi respiratory therapists earn a median annual wage of $63,270 ($30.42/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 1,670 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -23.1% below the national median of $82,280 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $63,270 ($30.42/hr)
25th percentile: $57,150 per year
75th percentile: $75,850 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $80,460 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $50,180 per year
Workers employed in Mississippi: 1,670
Versus national median: -23.1% below the U.S. median of $82,280
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.60 - this occupation is more concentrated in Mississippi than the national average

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

Mississippi employs about 1,670 respiratory therapists earning a median $63,270 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 MS State Dept. of Health - Professional Licensure Division - Office of Licensure.

Mississippi employs approximately 1,670 respiratory therapists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $63,270 ¹. The state’s concentration of respiratory therapist jobs is 1.60x 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 Mississippi, 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: MS State Dept. of Health - Professional Licensure Division - Office of Licensure
Exam: NBRC RRT (TMC and CSE)
Median wage (Mississippi): $63,270 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Mississippi

How to become a Respiratory Therapist in Mississippi? Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program, the NBRC RRT exams, and state respiratory care licensure. Apply through MS State Dept. of Health - Professional Licensure Division - Office of Licensure.

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 MS State Dept. of Health - Professional Licensure Division - Office of Licensure.

Do I need a license in Mississippi? Yes. Mississippi credentials this role through MS State Dept. of Health - Professional Licensure Division - Office of Licensure ³. See the licensing section below.

What do respiratory therapists earn in Mississippi? The median annual wage for respiratory therapists in Mississippi is $63,270 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $50,180 and experienced professionals can earn $80,460 or more ¹.

How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Mississippi

Meet program entry rules. Respiratory therapy programs in Mississippi 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 Mississippi, 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 MS State Dept. of Health - Professional Licensure Division - Office of Licensure.
Apply for state respiratory care licensure. Apply through MS State Dept. of Health - Professional Licensure Division - Office of Licensure 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 Mississippi

Respiratory therapists in Mississippi complete a CoARC-accredited program, earn NBRC RRT, and apply to MS State Dept. of Health - Professional Licensure Division - Office of Licensure for an RCP or equivalent license. See MS State Dept. of Health - Professional Licensure Division - Office of Licensure ³.

Typical path

Meet program entry rules.
Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.
Pass the NBRC RRT exams.
Apply to MS State Dept. of Health - Professional Licensure Division - Office of Licensure for state licensure.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with MS State Dept. of Health - Professional Licensure Division - Office of Licensure before you enroll.

Respiratory Therapist Wages by Metro Area in Mississippi

Respiratory Therapists Wages by Metro Area in Mississippi

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Memphis	670	$66,460	$71,510	$56,430	$88,060
Jackson	510	$67,500	$78,820	$54,900	$94,110
Gulfport-Biloxi	190	$66,660	$69,830	$51,780	$89,850
Hattiesburg	120	$60,170	$58,510	$47,440	$75,970

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 Mississippi? Mississippi currently employs approximately 1,670 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 Mississippi with an out-of-state license? Contact the MS State Dept. of Health - Professional Licensure Division - Office of Licensure for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do respiratory therapists earn in Mississippi compared to the national average? The median annual wage for respiratory therapists in Mississippi is $63,270, which is $17,180 below the national median of $80,450 according to BLS data ¹.

In Mississippi

Best Trade Schools in Mississippi (2026)

Top local programs

Explore More Trades in Mississippi

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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
MS State Dept. of Health - Professional Licensure Division - Office of Licensure - Licensing Information: https://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/30,0,82.html ↩︎ ↩︎

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)