How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in New Mexico (2026)

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

New Mexico employs about 840 respiratory therapists earning a median $68,870 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 New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department - Boards and Commissions Division - Respiratory Care Advisory Board.

New Mexico employs approximately 840 respiratory therapists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $68,870 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 New Mexico, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Quick Answers About How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in New Mexico

How to become a Respiratory Therapist in New Mexico? Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program, the NBRC RRT exams, and state respiratory care licensure. Apply through New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department - Boards and Commissions Division - Respiratory Care Advisory Board.

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 New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department - Boards and Commissions Division - Respiratory Care Advisory Board.

Do I need a license in New Mexico? Yes. New Mexico credentials this role through New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department - Boards and Commissions Division - Respiratory Care Advisory Board 3. See the licensing section below.

What do respiratory therapists earn in New Mexico? The median annual wage for respiratory therapists in New Mexico is $68,870 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $61,990 and experienced professionals can earn $91,220 or more 1.

How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in New Mexico

  1. Meet program entry rules. Respiratory therapy programs in New Mexico 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 New Mexico, 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 New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department - Boards and Commissions Division - Respiratory Care Advisory Board.
  4. Apply for state respiratory care licensure. Apply through New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department - Boards and Commissions Division - Respiratory Care Advisory Board 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 New Mexico

Respiratory therapists in New Mexico complete a CoARC-accredited program, earn NBRC RRT, and apply to New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department - Boards and Commissions Division - Respiratory Care Advisory Board for an RCP or equivalent license. See New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department - Boards and Commissions Division - Respiratory Care Advisory Board 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 New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department - Boards and Commissions Division - Respiratory Care Advisory Board for state licensure.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department - Boards and Commissions Division - Respiratory Care Advisory Board before you enroll.

Respiratory Therapist Wages by Metro Area in New Mexico

Respiratory Therapists Wages by Metro Area in New Mexico

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Albuquerque500$68,870$72,810$62,160$87,220
Las Cruces70$62,960$68,490$56,640$103,900
Farmington50$67,600$67,770$59,890$76,750

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 New Mexico? New Mexico currently employs approximately 840 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 New Mexico with an out-of-state license? Contact the New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department - Boards and Commissions Division - Respiratory Care Advisory Board for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do respiratory therapists earn in New Mexico compared to the national average? The median annual wage for respiratory therapists in New Mexico is $68,870, which is $11,580 below the national median of $80,450 according to BLS data 1.

In New Mexico

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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. New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department - Boards and Commissions Division - Respiratory Care Advisory Board - Licensing Information: https://www.rld.nm.gov/boards-and-commissions/individual-boards-and-commissions/respiratory-care/ ↩︎ ↩︎

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)