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Colorado Respiratory Therapy Schools and Salaries

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Become a Respiratory Therapist in Colorado

A career as a respiratory therapist in Colorado (CO) offers good income potential and jobs growth. In fact the Bureau of Labor Statistics has predicted that demand for respiratory therapists will increase by 19% between 2019 to 2029.

To become a respiratory therapist in Colorado it is a requirement that you graduate from an accredited respiratory therapist school. Once you have graduated you will then need to apply for a license before you can begin working.

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Top Respiratory Therapist Schools Colorado

SchoolAreaDegreeLearn More
Pickens Technical CollegeAuroraAAS DegreeLearn More
Pueblo Community CollegePuebloAS DegreeLearn More
Pima Medical Institute - DenverDenverAS DegreeLearn More
Concorde Career College - DenverAuroraAS DegreeLearn More

Respiratory therapist schools in Colorado are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Respiratory Care (CoARC). There are 4 accredited schools offering respiratory therapy programs in Colorado.

Most schools in Colorado will offer a choice between an associates degree (2 years) or a bachelors degree (4 years). An associates degree will get you started in your career whilst a bachelors degree will open up more career doors such as supervisory and management roles.

Respiratory therapist certification is not a necessity but it does provide additional assurances as to your skills and competencies.

Learn more: Respiratory therapist programs and degrees requirements

Colorado Respiratory License

Once you have graduated from an accredited program it is required by Colorado law that you obtain a license to work as a respiratory therapist there. The The Division Of Professions And Occupations governs the licensing of respiratory therapists in Colorado.

You can contact the Board directly using the details below:

Phone: 303-894-7796
Website: colorado.gov

Learn more: How to become a respiratory therapist


Respiratory Therapist Salary in Colorado

Average Salary$64,450
Hourly Wage$30.98
Top 10%$80,480
Bottom 10%$49,930
Employed2,080

According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2019), the average respiratory therapist salary in Colorado is $64,450. This is 1% above the national average.

This equates to an average hourly wage of $30.98.

Salary levels for respiratory therapists in Colorado have grown by 10%, or $5,860, between 2015 and 2019.

Salary Range

  • The top 10% of earners in the profession in Colorado had an average salary of $80,480
  • The lower 10% and entry level respiratory therapists earned an average salary of $49,930
  • Respiratory therapists working in Fort Collins earned the highest average salary in the state at $66,230
  • Those working in Greeley have the lowest average salary level at $55,920.
Metro AreaSalaryNumberTop 10%Bottom 10%
Boulder$65,320110$81,000$47,870
Colorado Springs$65,750280$82,030$51,150
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood$64,5901,130$80,080$51,490
Fort Collins$66,230160$82,110$52,000
Grand Junction$64,78070$79,580$51,220
Greeley$55,92040$71,620$43,310
Pueblo$61,85090$77,950$45,640

Respiratory Therapist Employment in Colorado

There are currently 2,080 people employed as respiratory therapists in Colorado. This number has grown significantly by 18%, or 310 respiratory therapy jobs, between 2015 and 2019.

The highest number of respiratory therapy jobs in Colorado are in Denver-Aurora-Lakewood.

The table below compares respiratory therapy salary and employment with similar healthcare careers in Colorado;

CareerSalaryEmployment
Respiratory Therapist$64,4502,080
Physical Therapist$86,7405,100
Occupational Therapist$90,9903,340
Speech & Language Therapist$92,5803,980

What next?

We hope this guide helps you get started on your path towards becoming a respiratory therapist in Colorado. You might also be interested in the following related pages:

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