How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Utah (2026)

Q: How long does respiratory therapist training take in Utah?

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

Q: How much do respiratory therapists earn in Utah?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), respiratory therapists in Utah earned a median annual wage of approximately $80,650. Employment concentration in Utah is roughly 0.75 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

Q: Do respiratory therapists need a license in Utah?

Yes. Utah requires state-level licensing or registration for respiratory therapists, administered by the Utah Department of Commerece - Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

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

Utah currently employs approximately 1,170 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

Utah respiratory therapists earn a median annual wage of $80,650 ($38.77/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 1,170 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -2.0% below the national median of $82,280 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $80,650 ($38.77/hr)
25th percentile: $70,230 per year
75th percentile: $85,790 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $101,340 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $61,860 per year
Workers employed in Utah: 1,170
Versus national median: -2.0% below the U.S. median of $82,280
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.75 - this occupation is less concentrated in Utah than the national average

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

Utah employs about 1,170 respiratory therapists earning a median $80,650 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 Utah Department of Commerece - Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing.

Utah employs approximately 1,170 respiratory therapists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $80,650 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 Utah, 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: Utah Department of Commerece - Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing
Exam: NBRC RRT (TMC and CSE)
Median wage (Utah): $80,650 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Utah

How to become a Respiratory Therapist in Utah? Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program, the NBRC RRT exams, and state respiratory care licensure. Apply through Utah Department of Commerece - Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing.

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 Utah Department of Commerece - Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing.

Do I need a license in Utah? Yes. Utah credentials this role through Utah Department of Commerece - Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing ³. See the licensing section below.

What do respiratory therapists earn in Utah? The median annual wage for respiratory therapists in Utah is $80,650 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $61,860 and experienced professionals can earn $101,340 or more ¹.

How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Utah

Meet program entry rules. Respiratory therapy programs in Utah 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 Utah, 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 Utah Department of Commerece - Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing.
Apply for state respiratory care licensure. Apply through Utah Department of Commerece - Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing 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 Utah

Respiratory therapists in Utah complete a CoARC-accredited program, earn NBRC RRT, and apply to Utah Department of Commerece - Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing for an RCP or equivalent license. See Utah Department of Commerece - Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing ³.

Typical path

Meet program entry rules.
Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.
Pass the NBRC RRT exams.
Apply to Utah Department of Commerece - Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing for state licensure.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Utah Department of Commerece - Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing before you enroll.

Respiratory Therapist Wages by Metro Area in Utah

Respiratory Therapists Wages by Metro Area in Utah

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Salt Lake City-Murray	640	$78,980	$79,840	$37,440	$107,260
Ogden	190	$82,380	$81,080	$67,650	$100,280
Provo-Orem-Lehi	170	$78,750	$82,450	$67,240	$101,340

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 Utah? Utah currently employs approximately 1,170 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 Utah with an out-of-state license? Contact the Utah Department of Commerece - Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do respiratory therapists earn in Utah compared to the national average? The median annual wage for respiratory therapists in Utah is $80,650, which is $200 above the national median of $80,450 according to BLS data ¹.

In Utah

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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Utah Department of Commerece - Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing - Licensing Information: https://dopl.utah.gov/ ↩︎ ↩︎

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)