How long does respiratory therapist training take in Vermont?

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

Do respiratory therapists need a license in Vermont?

Yes. Vermont requires state-level licensing or registration for respiratory therapists, administered by the Vermont Secretary of State - Office of Professional Regulation. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Vermont (2026)

Q: How much do respiratory therapists earn in Vermont?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), respiratory therapists in Vermont earned a median annual wage of approximately $83,820. Employment concentration in Vermont is roughly 0.79 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 Vermont?

Vermont currently employs approximately 210 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

Vermont respiratory therapists earn a median annual wage of $83,820 ($40.30/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 210 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 1.9% above the national median of $82,280 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $83,820 ($40.30/hr)
25th percentile: $79,390 per year
75th percentile: $98,220 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $99,940 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $50,310 per year
Workers employed in Vermont: 210
Versus national median: 1.9% above the U.S. median of $82,280
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.79 - this occupation is less concentrated in Vermont than the national average

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

Vermont employs about 210 respiratory therapists earning a median $83,820 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 Vermont Secretary of State - Office of Professional Regulation.

Vermont employs approximately 210 respiratory therapists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $83,820 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 Vermont, 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: Vermont Secretary of State - Office of Professional Regulation
Exam: NBRC RRT (TMC and CSE)
Median wage (Vermont): $83,820 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Vermont

How to become a Respiratory Therapist in Vermont? Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program, the NBRC RRT exams, and state respiratory care licensure. Apply through Vermont Secretary of State - Office of Professional 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 Vermont Secretary of State - Office of Professional Regulation.

Do I need a license in Vermont? Yes. Vermont credentials this role through Vermont Secretary of State - Office of Professional Regulation ³. See the licensing section below.

What do respiratory therapists earn in Vermont? The median annual wage for respiratory therapists in Vermont is $83,820 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $50,310 and experienced professionals can earn $99,940 or more ¹.

How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Vermont

Meet program entry rules. Respiratory therapy programs in Vermont 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 Vermont, 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 Vermont Secretary of State - Office of Professional Regulation.
Apply for state respiratory care licensure. Apply through Vermont Secretary of State - Office of Professional 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 Vermont

Respiratory therapists in Vermont complete a CoARC-accredited program, earn NBRC RRT, and apply to Vermont Secretary of State - Office of Professional Regulation for an RCP or equivalent license. See Vermont Secretary of State - Office of Professional Regulation ³.

Typical path

Meet program entry rules.
Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.
Pass the NBRC RRT exams.
Apply to Vermont Secretary of State - Office of Professional Regulation for state licensure.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Vermont Secretary of State - Office of Professional Regulation before you enroll.

Respiratory Therapist Wages by Metro Area in Vermont

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for respiratory therapists in Vermont? Vermont currently employs approximately 210 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 Vermont with an out-of-state license? Contact the Vermont Secretary of State - Office of Professional Regulation for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do respiratory therapists earn in Vermont compared to the national average? The median annual wage for respiratory therapists in Vermont is $83,820, which is $3,370 above the national median of $80,450 according to BLS data ¹.

In Vermont

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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Vermont Secretary of State - Office of Professional Regulation - Licensing Information: https://sos.vermont.gov/respiratory-care-practitioners/ ↩︎ ↩︎

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)