Respiratory Therapist Schools and Careers Kentucky

Become a Respiratory Therapist in Kentucky

If you wish to pursue a career as a respiratory therapist in Kentucky (KY) 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 Kentucky 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.

Skip to:

• Respiratory Therapist Schools in Kentucky
• Kentucky Certification and Licensing Requirements
• Respiratory Therapist Salary in Kentucky
• Respiratory Therapist Employment Outlook Kentucky

Top Respiratory Therapist Schools KY

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

Listed above are the top 10 accredited respiratory therapy schools in Kentucky.

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 programs

Kentucky Respiratory License and Certification Requirements

Respiratory therapist certification is optional in Kentucky 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 Kentucky law that you obtain a license to work as a respiratory therapist there. The Kentucky Board Of Respiratory Care governs the licensing of respiratory therapists in Kentucky.

You can contact the Board directly using the details below:

Phone: 859.246.2747
Website: kbrc.ky.gov

Learn more: How to become a respiratory therapist

Respiratory Therapist Salary KY

The average respiratory therapist salary in Kentucky is $50,150 – 22% below the national average.*

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

This equates to an average hourly wage of $24.11.

Salary levels for respiratory therapists in Kentucky have grown by 5%, or $2,300, between 2015 and 2019.

Salary Range

• The top 10% of earners in the profession in Kentucky had an average salary of $64,600
• The lower 10% and entry level respiratory therapists earned an average salary of $37,510
• Respiratory therapists working in Louisville/Jefferson County earned the highest average salary in the state at $51,810
• Those working in Elizabethtown-Fort Knox have the lowest average salary level at $50,550.

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

Respiratory Therapist Employment in Kentucky

There are currently 2,250 people employed as respiratory therapists in Kentucky. This number has dropped by -5%, or -130 respiratory therapy jobs, between 2015 and 2019.

The highest number of respiratory therapy jobs in Kentucky are in Louisville/Jefferson County.

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

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

• Online classes