How long does respiratory therapist training take in Rhode Island?

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

Do respiratory therapists need a license in Rhode Island?

Yes. Rhode Island requires state-level licensing or registration for respiratory therapists, administered by the RI Department of Health - Health Professions Regulation. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Rhode Island (2026)

Q: How much do respiratory therapists earn in Rhode Island?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), respiratory therapists in Rhode Island earned a median annual wage of approximately $86,900. Employment concentration in Rhode Island is roughly 0.57 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 Rhode Island?

Rhode Island currently employs approximately 260 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

Rhode Island respiratory therapists earn a median annual wage of $86,900 ($41.78/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 260 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 5.6% above the national median of $82,280 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $86,900 ($41.78/hr)
25th percentile: $83,040 per year
75th percentile: $102,500 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $122,120 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $73,240 per year
Workers employed in Rhode Island: 260
Versus national median: 5.6% above the U.S. median of $82,280
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.57 - this occupation is less concentrated in Rhode Island than the national average

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

Rhode Island employs about 260 respiratory therapists earning a median $86,900 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 RI Department of Health - Health Professions Regulation.

Rhode Island employs approximately 260 respiratory therapists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $86,900 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 Rhode Island, 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: RI Department of Health - Health Professions Regulation
Exam: NBRC RRT (TMC and CSE)
Median wage (Rhode Island): $86,900 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Rhode Island

How to become a Respiratory Therapist in Rhode Island? Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program, the NBRC RRT exams, and state respiratory care licensure. Apply through RI Department of Health - Health Professions Regulation.

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 RI Department of Health - Health Professions Regulation.

Do I need a license in Rhode Island? Yes. Rhode Island credentials this role through RI Department of Health - Health Professions Regulation ³. See the licensing section below.

What do respiratory therapists earn in Rhode Island? The median annual wage for respiratory therapists in Rhode Island is $86,900 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $73,240 and experienced professionals can earn $122,120 or more ¹.

How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Rhode Island

Meet program entry rules. Respiratory therapy programs in Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island, 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 RI Department of Health - Health Professions Regulation.
Apply for state respiratory care licensure. Apply through RI Department of Health - Health Professions Regulation 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 Rhode Island

Respiratory therapists in Rhode Island complete a CoARC-accredited program, earn NBRC RRT, and apply to RI Department of Health - Health Professions Regulation for an RCP or equivalent license. See RI Department of Health - Health Professions Regulation ³.

Typical path

Meet program entry rules.
Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.
Pass the NBRC RRT exams.
Apply to RI Department of Health - Health Professions Regulation for state licensure.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with RI Department of Health - Health Professions Regulation before you enroll.

Respiratory Therapist Wages by Metro Area in Rhode Island

Respiratory Therapists Wages by Metro Area in Rhode Island

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Providence-Warwick	420	$86,660	$91,210	$73,240	$107,000

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 Rhode Island? Rhode Island currently employs approximately 260 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 Rhode Island with an out-of-state license? Contact the RI Department of Health - Health Professions Regulation for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do respiratory therapists earn in Rhode Island compared to the national average? The median annual wage for respiratory therapists in Rhode Island is $86,900, which is $6,450 above the national median of $80,450 according to BLS data ¹.

In Rhode Island

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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
RI Department of Health - Health Professions Regulation - Licensing Information: https://health.ri.gov/licenses/ ↩︎ ↩︎

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)