How long does respiratory therapist training take in Oregon?

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

Do respiratory therapists need a license in Oregon?

Yes. Oregon requires state-level licensing or registration for respiratory therapists, administered by the Oregon Health Authority - Health Licensing Office. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Oregon (2026)

Q: How much do respiratory therapists earn in Oregon?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), respiratory therapists in Oregon earned a median annual wage of approximately $100,560. Employment concentration in Oregon is roughly 0.76 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 Oregon?

Oregon currently employs approximately 1,340 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

Oregon respiratory therapists earn a median annual wage of $100,560 ($48.34/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 1,340 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 22.2% above the national median of $82,280 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $100,560 ($48.34/hr)
25th percentile: $85,310 per year
75th percentile: $104,360 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $120,060 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $81,490 per year
Workers employed in Oregon: 1,340
Versus national median: 22.2% above the U.S. median of $82,280
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.76 - this occupation is less concentrated in Oregon than the national average

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

Oregon employs about 1,340 respiratory therapists earning a median $100,560 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 Oregon Health Authority - Health Licensing Office.

Oregon employs approximately 1,340 respiratory therapists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $100,560 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 Oregon, 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: Oregon Health Authority - Health Licensing Office
Exam: NBRC RRT (TMC and CSE)
Median wage (Oregon): $100,560 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Oregon

How to become a Respiratory Therapist in Oregon? Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program, the NBRC RRT exams, and state respiratory care licensure. Apply through Oregon Health Authority - Health Licensing Office.

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 Oregon Health Authority - Health Licensing Office.

Do I need a license in Oregon? Yes. Oregon credentials this role through Oregon Health Authority - Health Licensing Office ³. See the licensing section below.

What do respiratory therapists earn in Oregon? The median annual wage for respiratory therapists in Oregon is $100,560 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $81,490 and experienced professionals can earn $120,060 or more ¹.

How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Oregon

Meet program entry rules. Respiratory therapy programs in Oregon 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 Oregon, 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 Oregon Health Authority - Health Licensing Office.
Apply for state respiratory care licensure. Apply through Oregon Health Authority - Health Licensing Office 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 Oregon

Respiratory therapists in Oregon complete a CoARC-accredited program, earn NBRC RRT, and apply to Oregon Health Authority - Health Licensing Office for an RCP or equivalent license. See Oregon Health Authority - Health Licensing Office ³.

Typical path

Meet program entry rules.
Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.
Pass the NBRC RRT exams.
Apply to Oregon Health Authority - Health Licensing Office for state licensure.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Oregon Health Authority - Health Licensing Office before you enroll.

Respiratory Therapist Wages by Metro Area in Oregon

Respiratory Therapists Wages by Metro Area in Oregon

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro	760	$100,030	$98,160	$82,330	$116,410
Salem	130	$104,360	$107,350	$89,160	$122,190
Eugene-Springfield	120	$85,930	$90,330	$73,710	$108,480
Medford	90	$102,780	$102,550	$80,960	$120,060

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 Oregon? Oregon currently employs approximately 1,340 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 Oregon with an out-of-state license? Contact the Oregon Health Authority - Health Licensing Office for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do respiratory therapists earn in Oregon compared to the national average? The median annual wage for respiratory therapists in Oregon is $100,560, which is $20,110 above the national median of $80,450 according to BLS data ¹.

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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Oregon Health Authority - Health Licensing Office - Licensing Information: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ph/hlo/Pages/index.aspx ↩︎ ↩︎

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)