How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Missouri (2026)

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Missouri employs about 3,030 respiratory therapists earning a median $78,390 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 Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Division Of Professional Registration - Missouri State Board for Respiratory Care.

Missouri employs approximately 3,030 respiratory therapists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $78,390 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 Missouri, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Quick Answers About How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Missouri

How to become a Respiratory Therapist in Missouri? Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program, the NBRC RRT exams, and state respiratory care licensure. Apply through Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Division Of Professional Registration - Missouri State Board for Respiratory Care.

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 Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Division Of Professional Registration - Missouri State Board for Respiratory Care.

Do I need a license in Missouri? Yes. Missouri credentials this role through Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Division Of Professional Registration - Missouri State Board for Respiratory Care 3. See the licensing section below.

What do respiratory therapists earn in Missouri? The median annual wage for respiratory therapists in Missouri is $78,390 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $60,950 and experienced professionals can earn $95,730 or more 1.

How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Missouri

  1. Meet program entry rules. Respiratory therapy programs in Missouri 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 Missouri, 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 Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Division Of Professional Registration - Missouri State Board for Respiratory Care.
  4. Apply for state respiratory care licensure. Apply through Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Division Of Professional Registration - Missouri State Board for Respiratory Care 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 Missouri

Respiratory therapists in Missouri complete a CoARC-accredited program, earn NBRC RRT, and apply to Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Division Of Professional Registration - Missouri State Board for Respiratory Care for an RCP or equivalent license. See Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Division Of Professional Registration - Missouri State Board for Respiratory Care 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 Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Division Of Professional Registration - Missouri State Board for Respiratory Care for state licensure.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Division Of Professional Registration - Missouri State Board for Respiratory Care before you enroll.

Respiratory Therapist Wages by Metro Area in Missouri

Respiratory Therapists Wages by Metro Area in Missouri

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
St. Louis1,260$79,210$78,300$62,230$95,730
Kansas City1,190$79,140$79,300$63,100$97,140
Springfield310$72,490$73,470$63,160$82,320
Columbia150$69,400$73,560$55,450$83,780
Joplin150$65,630$68,510$59,990$79,930
Cape Girardeau90$66,910$70,820$58,590$83,030
Jefferson City50$77,500$73,900$61,400$90,040
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 Missouri? Missouri currently employs approximately 3,030 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 Missouri with an out-of-state license? Contact the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Division Of Professional Registration - Missouri State Board for Respiratory Care for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do respiratory therapists earn in Missouri compared to the national average? The median annual wage for respiratory therapists in Missouri is $78,390, which is $2,060 below the national median of $80,450 according to BLS data 1.

In Missouri

Top local programs

Related trades & nearby areas

Explore More Trades in Missouri

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. Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Division Of Professional Registration - Missouri State Board for Respiratory Care - Licensing Information: http://pr.mo.gov/respiratorycare.asp ↩︎ ↩︎

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)