How long does respiratory therapist training take in Wisconsin?

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

How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Wisconsin (2026)

Q: How much do respiratory therapists earn in Wisconsin?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), respiratory therapists in Wisconsin earned a median annual wage of approximately $84,210. Employment concentration in Wisconsin is roughly 0.74 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

Q: Do respiratory therapists need a license in Wisconsin?

Yes. Wisconsin requires state-level licensing or registration for respiratory therapists, administered by the WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

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

Wisconsin currently employs approximately 1,940 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

Wisconsin respiratory therapists earn a median annual wage of $84,210 ($40.48/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 1,940 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 2.3% above the national median of $82,280 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $84,210 ($40.48/hr)
25th percentile: $78,800 per year
75th percentile: $96,510 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $100,320 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $70,520 per year
Workers employed in Wisconsin: 1,940
Versus national median: 2.3% above the U.S. median of $82,280
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.74 - this occupation is less concentrated in Wisconsin than the national average

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

Wisconsin employs about 1,940 respiratory therapists earning a median $84,210 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 WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing.

Wisconsin employs approximately 1,940 respiratory therapists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $84,210 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 Wisconsin, 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: WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing
Exam: NBRC RRT (TMC and CSE)
Median wage (Wisconsin): $84,210 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Wisconsin

How to become a Respiratory Therapist in Wisconsin? Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program, the NBRC RRT exams, and state respiratory care licensure. Apply through WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing.

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 WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing.

Do I need a license in Wisconsin? Yes. Wisconsin credentials this role through WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing ³. See the licensing section below.

What do respiratory therapists earn in Wisconsin? The median annual wage for respiratory therapists in Wisconsin is $84,210 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $70,520 and experienced professionals can earn $100,320 or more ¹.

How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Wisconsin

Meet program entry rules. Respiratory therapy programs in Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin, 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 WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing.
Apply for state respiratory care licensure. Apply through WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing 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 Wisconsin

Respiratory therapists in Wisconsin complete a CoARC-accredited program, earn NBRC RRT, and apply to WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing for an RCP or equivalent license. See WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing ³.

Typical path

Meet program entry rules.
Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.
Pass the NBRC RRT exams.
Apply to WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing for state licensure.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing before you enroll.

Respiratory Therapist Wages by Metro Area in Wisconsin

Respiratory Therapists Wages by Metro Area in Wisconsin

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington	820	$100,920	$99,680	$84,510	$110,050
Milwaukee-Waukesha	630	$89,040	$90,430	$77,680	$100,600
Madison	350	$81,530	$86,260	$75,960	$100,320
Green Bay	130	$82,300	$83,020	$75,750	$96,670
Duluth	100	$85,700	$86,410	$76,470	$99,560
Janesville-Beloit	70	$81,600	$84,180	$68,890	$96,510
Appleton	60	$84,300	$87,710	$79,400	$101,720
Eau Claire	50	$80,900	$83,310	$67,280	$105,700
Kenosha	40	$77,570	$80,010	$62,660	$94,590
Racine-Mount Pleasant	40	$86,460	$88,000	$79,240	$100,740

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 Wisconsin? Wisconsin currently employs approximately 1,940 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 Wisconsin with an out-of-state license? Contact the WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do respiratory therapists earn in Wisconsin compared to the national average? The median annual wage for respiratory therapists in Wisconsin is $84,210, which is $3,760 above the national median of $80,450 according to BLS data ¹.

In Wisconsin

Best Trade Schools in Wisconsin (2026)

Top local programs

Explore More Trades in Wisconsin

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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing - Licensing Information: https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/Default.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)