WA Respiratory Therapy Schools and Salary

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Become a Respiratory Therapist in Washington State

A career as a respiratory therapist in Washington State (WA) 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 Washington State 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 WA

SchoolAreaDegreeLearn More
University of the District of Columbia Community CollegeDCAAS DegreeLearn More

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

There are 2 accredited schools offering respiratory therapy programs in Washington State.

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

Washington State Respiratory License and Certification Requirements

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

The Department Of Health Respiratory Care governs the licensing of respiratory therapists in Washington State. You can contact the Board directly using the details below:

Phone: 360-236-4700
Website: doh.wa.gov

Learn more: Steps to become a respiratory therapist


Respiratory Therapist Salary WA

Average Salary$80,130
Hourly Wage$38.52
Top 10%$107,750
Bottom 10%$58,860
Employed320

The average respiratory therapist salary in Washington State is $71,750 – 12% greater than the national average.*

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

This equates to an average hourly wage of $34.49.

Salary levels for respiratory therapists in Washington State have increased by 6%, or $4,090, between 2015 and 2019.

Salary Range

  • The top 10% of earners in the profession in Washington State had an average salary of $96,040
  • The lower 10% and entry level respiratory therapists earned an average salary of $54,270
  • Respiratory therapists working in Wenatchee earned the highest average salary in the state at $74,280
  • Those working in Yakima have the lowest average salary level at $59,060.

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

Metro AreaSalaryTop 10%Bottom 10%Employed
Bellingham$69,730$94,020$54,330-
Kennewick-Richland$72,580$104,070$53,14070
Mount Vernon-Anacortes$68,520$82,120$54,69040
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue$73,380$97,280$54,6901,110
Spokane-Spokane Valley$70,210$94,540$53,520240
Walla Walla$69,380$93,910$54,140-
Wenatchee$74,280$100,720$55,53040
Yakima$59,060$78,730$32,65060

Respiratory Therapist Employment in Washington State

There are currently 2080 people employed as respiratory therapists in Washington State. This number has increased by 5%, or 90 respiratory therapy jobs, between 2015 and 2019.

The highest number of respiratory therapy jobs in Washington State are in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue.

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

CareerSalaryEmployment
Respiratory Therapist$80,130320
Occupational Therapist$94,430320
Physical Therapist$93,140610
Speech & Language Therapist$99,430390


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

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