Respiratory Therapist in California: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
California employs 18,650 respiratory therapists, with a statewide median of $104,820 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact California licensing picture, and where to train.
What Respiratory therapists Earn in California (May 2025)
- California median pay
- $104,820 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $77,010
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $129,010
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $145,510
- Employed in California
- 18,650
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $80,450 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for respiratory therapists in major California markets:
- San Jose / Silicon Valley
- $149,680 (1,060 employed)
- Sacramento
- $134,430 (1,140 employed)
- San Francisco Bay Area
- $130,220 (2,010 employed)
- San Diego
- $105,040 (1,430 employed)
- Los Angeles
- $104,640 (7,010 employed)
- Riverside–San Bernardino
- $100,480 (2,200 employed)
- Fresno
- $83,340 (580 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in California
Prices in California run about 11% above the national average (cost-of-living index 110.7 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $104,820 median is worth closer to $94,688 once higher local prices are factored in.
Job Outlook in California (2024–2034)
California is projected to grow respiratory therapists employment +22.2%, faster than the +12.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 1,430 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
California License and Certification Requirements
Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license — regulated by the Respiratory Care Board of California (RCB).
- Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory care program (associate degree minimum).
- Earn the RRT credential from the NBRC — California requires the full RRT (both the TMC and Clinical Simulation exams), a higher bar than many states.
- Complete an RCB-approved Law and Professional Ethics course and apply to the board.
Official requirements: Respiratory Care Board of California (RCB) →
Training in California
Note California's stricter standard: the RRT (not just CRT) is required for licensure. Large systems — Kaiser, Sutter, UC medical centers, Cedars-Sinai — hire continuously and pay well above national rates.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in California include:
- Allan Hancock College — Associate
- American Career College-Anaheim — Associate
- American Career College-Los Angeles — Associate
- American Career College-Ontario — Associate
Where Respiratory therapists Work in California
Real California hospitals that employ respiratory therapists include:
- US Navy Medical Center San Diego — San Diego
- VA Hosp — Palo Alto
- VA Hosp — Long Beach
- Dept of State Hospitals - Napa — Napa
- VA Hosps-Brentwood & Wadsworth — Los Angeles
- Santa Clara Valley Medical Center — San Jose
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 California?
The median wage for respiratory therapists in California is $104,820 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $77,010, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $145,510. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Respiratory Therapist in California?
Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license, overseen by the Respiratory Care Board of California (RCB). Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory care program (associate degree minimum).
Is being a Respiratory Therapist a good career in California?
Respiratory care involves bedside judgment, equipment, urgent patient needs, and licensed clinical responsibility.
Which California metros pay respiratory therapists the most?
Among California metro areas, San Jose / Silicon Valley leads at $149,680, followed by Sacramento ($134,430), San Francisco Bay Area ($130,220). 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 California?
Real California options include Allan Hancock College, American Career College-Anaheim, American Career College-Los Angeles. Most respiratory therapists start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Respiratory Therapist a growing career in California?
California projects respiratory therapists employment to change +22.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 1,430 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), California statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-1126. Licensing summary compiled from the Respiratory Care Board of California (RCB) (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 California wages · California 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.