Respiratory Therapist in Arkansas: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Arkansas employs 1,400 respiratory therapists, with a statewide median of $73,870 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Arkansas licensing picture, and where to train.
What Respiratory therapists Earn in Arkansas (May 2025)
- Arkansas median pay
- $73,870 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $59,550
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $78,520
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $93,480
- Employed in Arkansas
- 1,400
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $80,450 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for respiratory therapists in major Arkansas markets:
- Texarkana
- $78,880 (110 employed)
- Fort Smith
- $78,080 (100 employed)
- Fayetteville
- $77,720 (220 employed)
- Little Rock
- $75,300 (530 employed)
- Memphis
- $66,460 (670 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Arkansas
Prices in Arkansas run about 13% below the national average (cost-of-living index 86.9 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $73,870 median stretches to roughly $85,006 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Arkansas (2024–2034)
Arkansas is projected to grow respiratory therapists employment +20.9%, faster than the +12.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 110 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Arkansas License and Certification Requirements
Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner — regulated by the Arkansas State Medical Board — Respiratory Care.
- Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.
- Pass the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) exam.
- Apply for licensure through the Arkansas State Medical Board; renew with continuing education.
Official requirements: Arkansas State Medical Board — Respiratory Care →
Training in Arkansas
Employers expect the RRT credential. Steady hospital demand; CoARC community-college programs keep tuition reasonable.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Arkansas include:
- Arkansas Northeastern College — Associate
- Arkansas State University — Associate / Bachelor's
- Arkansas State University Mid-South — Associate
- Arkansas State University-Beebe — Associate
Where Respiratory therapists Work in Arkansas
Real Arkansas hospitals that employ respiratory therapists include:
- VA Hosp — North Little Rock
- Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock — Little Rock
- Chi St Vincent Infirmary — Little Rock
- Unity Health White County Medical Center — Searcy
- Baptist Health - Fort Smith — Fort Smith
- VA Hosp — Little Rock
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: People who want meaningful clinical work with a focused training path.
Think twice if: Emergency settings, hospitals, and vulnerable patients feel too stressful.
Why it's resilient: Respiratory care involves bedside judgment, equipment, urgent patient needs, and licensed clinical responsibility.
First Steps
Compare accredited respiratory care programs and board exam requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do respiratory therapists make in Arkansas?
The median wage for respiratory therapists in Arkansas is $73,870 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $59,550, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $93,480. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Respiratory Therapist in Arkansas?
Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner, overseen by the Arkansas State Medical Board — Respiratory Care. Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.
Is being a Respiratory Therapist a good career in Arkansas?
Respiratory care involves bedside judgment, equipment, urgent patient needs, and licensed clinical responsibility.
Which Arkansas metros pay respiratory therapists the most?
Among Arkansas metro areas, Texarkana leads at $78,880, followed by Fort Smith ($78,080), Fayetteville ($77,720). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.
Where can I train to become a Respiratory Therapist in Arkansas?
Real Arkansas options include Arkansas Northeastern College, Arkansas State University, Arkansas State University Mid-South. Most respiratory therapists start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Respiratory Therapist a growing career in Arkansas?
Arkansas projects respiratory therapists employment to change +20.9% from 2024 to 2034, with about 110 openings a year — a growing field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Arkansas statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-1126. Licensing summary compiled from the Arkansas State Medical Board — Respiratory Care (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.
BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Arkansas wages · Arkansas licensing/certification source
Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).
Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.