Respiratory Therapy Schools and Careers Wisconsin

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Get Started as a Respiratory Therapist in Wisconsin

A career as a respiratory therapist in Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin

SchoolAreaDegreeLearn More
Madison Area Technical CollegeMadisonAAS DegreeLearn More
Chippewa Valley Technical CollegeEau ClaireAS DegreeLearn More
Madison Area Technical CollegeMadisonAAS Degree*
Mid-State Technical CollegeMarshfieldAAS DegreeLearn More
Milwaukee Area Technical CollegeMilwaukeeAS Degree*
Moraine Park Technical CollegeDu LacAS DegreeLearn More
Northeast Wisconsin Technical CollegeGreen BayAS DegreeLearn More
Western Technical CollegeLaCrosseAAS DegreeLearn More

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

There are 8 accredited respiratory therapy schools in Wisconsin.

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

Wisconsin Respiratory License and Certification Requirements

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

The Division Of Professional Licensing governs the licensing of respiratory therapists in Wisconsin. You can contact the Board directly using the details below:

Phone: 608-266-2112
Website: drl.wi.gov

Learn more: Steps to become a respiratory therapist


Respiratory Therapist Salary in Wisconsin

Average Salary$64,320
Hourly Wage$30.92
Top 10%$79,250
Bottom 10%$52,250
Employed2,270

The average respiratory therapist salary in Wisconsin is $64,320 – 1% more than the national average.*

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

This equates to an average hourly wage of $30.92.

Salary levels for respiratory therapists in Wisconsin have grown by 9%, or $5,430, between 2015 and 2019.

Salary Range

  • The top 10% of earners in the profession in Wisconsin had an average salary of $79,250
  • The lower 10% and entry level respiratory therapists earned an average salary of $52,250
  • Respiratory therapists working in Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis earned the highest average salary in the state at $65,840
  • Those working in Eau Claire have the lowest average salary level at $61,970.

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

Metro AreaSalaryTop 10%Bottom 10%Employed
Appleton$62,370$77,480$52,72090
Eau Claire$61,970$79,210$46,040120
Green Bay$63,870$78,390$52,160180
Janesville-Beloit$63,550$78,340$50,25050
La Crosse-Onalaska$64,010$78,080$51,870120
Madison$64,530$80,160$52,510270
Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis$65,840$80,170$54,030690
Oshkosh-Neenah$64,840$78,380$52,24040

Respiratory Therapist Employment in Wisconsin

There are currently 2,270 people employed as respiratory therapists in Wisconsin. This number has grown significantly by 26%, or 470 respiratory therapy jobs, between 2015 and 2019.

The highest number of respiratory therapy jobs in Wisconsin are in Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis.

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

CareerSalaryEmployment
Respiratory Therapist$64,3202,270
Physical Therapist$88,5705,590
Occupational Therapist$76,2703,550
Speech & Language Therapist$73,0102,360


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

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