Respiratory Therapy Schools and Careers PA

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Get Started as a Respiratory Therapist in Pennsylvania

A career as a respiratory therapist in Pennsylvania 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% betw5
een 2019 to 2029.

To become a respiratory therapist in Pennsylvania 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. Certification is not a necessity but it does provide additional assurances as to your skills and competencies.

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Respiratory Therapist Schools in Pennsylvania

SchoolAreaDegreeLearn More
Clarion UniversityOil CityAS Degree*
Community College of Allegheny CountyPittsburgAS DegreeLearn More
Community College of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphiaAS DegreeLearn More
Delaware County Community College / Crozer-Chester Med CtrUplandAS DegreeLearn More
Gwynedd Mercy UniversityGwynedd ValleyAS DegreeLearn More
Harrisburg Area Community CollegeHarrisburgAS DegreeLearn More
Laurel Business InstituteUniontownAS DegreeLearn More
Laurel Technical InstituteSharonAST DegreeLearn More
Luzerne County Community CollegeNanticokeAAS Degree*
Mercyhurst University North EastErieAS DegreeLearn More
Pennsylvania College of Health SciencesLancasterAAS DegreeLearn More
Pittsburgh Career InstitutePittsburgAST DegreeLearn More
Reading Area Community CollegeReadingAS DegreeLearn More
University of Pittsburgh at JohnstownJohnstownAS DegreeLearn More
YTI Career Institute - AltoonaAltoonaAST DegreeLearn More

The Commission on Accreditation of Respiratory Care (CoARC) is the organization in charge of accreditation for respiratory therapist schools.

There are 15 accredited respiratory therapy schools in Pennsylvania.

You have the option of completing an associates degree (2 years) or a bachelors degree (4 years) in your path to becoming a respiratory therapist . 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 course curriculum and admissions

Pennsylvania Respiratory License and Certification Requirements

Respiratory therapist certification is optional in Pennsylvania. However licensing is an important prerequisite to securing employment as a respiratory therapist in the state.

The State Board Of Medicine governs the licensing of respiratory therapists in Pennsylvania. You can contact the Board directly using the details below:

Phone: 717-783-1400
Website: dos.state.pa.us

Learn more: Steps to become a respiratory therapist


Respiratory Therapist Salary in Pennsylvania

Average Salary$57,600
Hourly Wage$27.69
Bottom 10%$42,960
Top 10%$76,040
Employed5930

The average respiratory therapist salary in Pennsylvania is $57,600 – 10% less than the national average.*

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

This equates to an average hourly wage of $27.69.

Salary levels for respiratory therapists in Pennsylvania have decreased slightly by -1%, or -$390, between 2015 and 2019.

Salary Range

  • The top 10% of earners in the profession in Pennsylvania had an average salary of $76,040
  • The lower 10% and entry level respiratory therapists earned an average salary of $42,960
  • Respiratory therapists working in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington earned the highest average salary in the state at $62,720
  • Those working in Scranton–Wilkes-Barre–Hazleton have the lowest average salary level at $52,500.

The table below breaks down salaries across the main metro areas in the state.

Metro AreaSalaryBottom 10%Top 10%Employed
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton$58,570$42,670$77,790470
Altoona$59,180$44,150$75,62050
Bloomsburg-Berwick$56,630$42,350$76,130-
Erie$55,280$41,450$69,420190
Harrisburg-Carlisle$59,300$45,190$76,550-
Johnstown$55,340$43,610$69,42050
Lancaster$57,380$42,750$75,920110
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington$62,720$44,990$81,6703,060
Pittsburgh$55,550$42,270$73,3301,370
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton$52,500$41,720$64,230220
State College$58,860$43,360$76,670-
York-Hanover$62,300$53,060$77,260170

Respiratory Therapist Employment in Pennsylvania

There are currently 5930 people employed as respiratory therapists in Pennsylvania. This number has increased by 14%, or 730 respiratory therapy jobs, between 2015 and 2019.

The highest number of respiratory therapy jobs in Pennsylvania are in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington.

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

CareerSalaryEmployment
Respiratory Therapist$57,6005,930
Physical Therapist$88,45011,800
Occupational Therapist$83,1207,680
Speech & Language Therapist$80,8405,700


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

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