How long does respiratory therapist training take in Montana?

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

Do respiratory therapists need a license in Montana?

Yes. Montana requires state-level licensing or registration for respiratory therapists, administered by the Board of Respiratory Care Practitioners. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Montana (2026)

Q: How much do respiratory therapists earn in Montana?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), respiratory therapists in Montana earned a median annual wage of approximately $81,190. Employment concentration in Montana is roughly 0.85 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

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

Montana currently employs approximately 390 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

Montana employs about 390 respiratory therapists earning a median $81,190 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 Board of Respiratory Care Practitioners.

Montana employs approximately 390 respiratory therapists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $81,190 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 Montana, 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: Board of Respiratory Care Practitioners
Exam: NBRC RRT (TMC and CSE)
Median wage (Montana): $81,190 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Montana

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

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 Board of Respiratory Care Practitioners.

Do I need a license in Montana? Yes. Montana credentials this role through Board of Respiratory Care Practitioners ³. See the licensing section below.

What do respiratory therapists earn in Montana? The median annual wage for respiratory therapists in Montana is $81,190 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $60,800 and experienced professionals can earn $92,890 or more ¹.

How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Montana

Meet program entry rules. Respiratory therapy programs in Montana 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 Montana, 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 Board of Respiratory Care Practitioners.
Apply for state respiratory care licensure. Apply through Board of Respiratory Care Practitioners 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 Montana

Respiratory therapists in Montana complete a CoARC-accredited program, earn NBRC RRT, and apply to Board of Respiratory Care Practitioners for an RCP or equivalent license. See Board of Respiratory Care Practitioners ³.

Typical path

Meet program entry rules.
Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.
Pass the NBRC RRT exams.
Apply to Board of Respiratory Care Practitioners for state licensure.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Board of Respiratory Care Practitioners before you enroll.

Respiratory Therapist Wages by Metro Area in Montana

Respiratory Therapists Wages by Metro Area in Montana

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Billings	100	$79,820	$78,780	$64,100	$91,370
Missoula	70	$82,580	$76,660	$63,810	$86,730

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 Montana? Montana currently employs approximately 390 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 Montana with an out-of-state license? Contact the Board of Respiratory Care Practitioners for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do respiratory therapists earn in Montana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for respiratory therapists in Montana is $81,190, which is $740 above the national median of $80,450 according to BLS data ¹.

In Montana

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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Board of Respiratory Care Practitioners - Licensing Information: http://boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/rcp ↩︎ ↩︎

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)