Respiratory Therapist Schools and Careers Iowa

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Become a Respiratory Therapist in Iowa

If you wish to pursue a career as a respiratory therapist in Iowa (IO) then it will please you to know that employment for the profession will grow by nearly 20% up between 2019 and 2029, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

To become respiratory therapist in Iowa you will need to complete an accredited program and obtain your respiratory therapist license. Below we provide information on schools, licensing, certification requirements, and careers data.

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Top Respiratory Therapist Schools Iowa

SchoolAreaDegreeLearn More
Des Moines Area Community CollegeAnkenyAS Degree*
Hawkeye Community CollegeWaterlooAAS DegreeLearn More
Kirkwood Community CollegeCedar RapidsAAS DegreeLearn More
Northeast Iowa Community CollegePeostaAAS DegreeLearn More
Southeastern Community CollegeBurlingtonAS Degree*
St. Luke's College-UnityPoint HealthSioux CityAS DegreeLearn More

The Commission on Accreditation of Respiratory Care (CoARC) are responsible for accrediting respiratory therapist schools in the USA.

Listed above are the top 6 accredited respiratory therapy schools in Iowa.

Typically, in your studies to become a respiratory therapist. you can select between completing 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.

Learn more: Respiratory therapist program requirements

Iowa Respiratory License and Certification Requirements

Respiratory therapist certification is optional in Iowa however certification provides an extra layer of assurance as to your skills and competencies and may create further career advancement opportunities.

Licensing is essential. Once you have graduated from an accredited program it is required by Iowa law that you obtain a license to work as a respiratory therapist there. The Iowa Board Of Respiratory Care governs the licensing of respiratory therapists in Iowa.

You can contact the Board directly using the details below:

Phone: 515-281-4401
Website: idph.state.ia.us

Learn more: Steps to become a respiratory therapist


Respiratory Therapist Salary in Iowa

Average Salary$54,780
Hourly Wage$26.34
Top 10%$71,920
Bottom 10%$42,760
Employed920

The average respiratory therapist salary in Iowa is $54,780 – 14% below the national average.*

*Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) (2019).

This equates to an average hourly wage of $26.34.

Salary levels for respiratory therapists in Iowa have increased by 8%, or $4,220, between 2015 and 2019.

Salary Range

  • The top 10% of earners in the profession in Iowa had an average salary of $71,920
  • The lower 10% and entry level respiratory therapists earned an average salary of $42,760
  • Respiratory therapists working in Davenport-Moline-Rock Island earned the highest average salary in the state at $58,200
  • Those working in Sioux City have the lowest average salary level at $50,770.

The table below further breaks down salary across the larger metro areas in the state.

Metro AreaSalaryEmployedTop 10%Bottom 10%
Cedar Rapids$54,03090$72,320$42,530
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island$58,200110$76,100$44,140
Des Moines-West Des Moines$57,590160$76,910$42,840
Sioux City$50,77050$64,200$40,740
Waterloo-Cedar Falls$52,32060$62,860$42,750

Respiratory Therapist Employment in Iowa

There are currently 920 people employed as respiratory therapists in Iowa. This number has grown a little by 1%, or 10 respiratory therapy jobs, between 2015 and 2019.

The highest number of respiratory therapy jobs in Iowa are in Des Moines-West Des Moines.

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

CareerSalaryEmployment
Respiratory Therapist$54,780920
Physical Therapist$82,9402,080
Occupational Therapist$82,380930
Speech & Language Therapist$76,2501,230


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

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