Respiratory Therapist in Colorado: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Colorado employs 2,110 respiratory therapists, with a statewide median of $86,220 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Colorado licensing picture, and where to train.
What Respiratory therapists Earn in Colorado (May 2025)
- Colorado median pay
- $86,220 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $66,560
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $100,130
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $109,070
- Employed in Colorado
- 2,110
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $80,450 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for respiratory therapists in major Colorado markets:
- Boulder
- $91,880 (130 employed)
- Colorado Springs
- $87,890 (330 employed)
- Denver
- $85,870 (1,100 employed)
- Fort Collins
- $83,880
- Grand Junction
- $81,290 (70 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Colorado
Prices in Colorado run about 3% above the national average (cost-of-living index 103.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $86,220 median is worth closer to $83,628 once higher local prices are factored in.
Job Outlook in Colorado (2024–2034)
Colorado is projected to grow respiratory therapists employment +30.1%, faster than the +12.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 180 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Colorado License and Certification Requirements
Licensed Respiratory Therapist — regulated by the Colorado Office of Respiratory Therapy Licensure (DORA).
- Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program (associate or bachelor's).
- Pass the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) exam to earn CRT/RRT.
- Apply to the Colorado board ($150) and clear a fingerprint background check.
Official requirements: Colorado Office of Respiratory Therapy Licensure (DORA) →
Training in Colorado
Employers generally expect the RRT credential. Hospital demand is steady; community-college CoARC programs keep tuition reasonable.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Colorado include:
- Aims Community College — Associate
- Arapahoe Community College — Associate / Bachelor's
- Colorado Mesa University — Associate / Bachelor's
- Colorado Mountain College — Associate
Where Respiratory therapists Work in Colorado
Real Colorado hospitals that employ respiratory therapists include:
- University of Colorado Hospital Authority — Aurora
- Hca Healthone Presbyterian St Luke's — Denver
- V a Hospital — Fort Lyon
- University Colo Health Memorial Hospital Central — Colorado Springs
- Denver Health Medical Center — Denver
- Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Pueblo — Pueblo
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 Colorado?
The median wage for respiratory therapists in Colorado is $86,220 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $66,560, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $109,070. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Respiratory Therapist in Colorado?
Licensed Respiratory Therapist, overseen by the Colorado Office of Respiratory Therapy Licensure (DORA). Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program (associate or bachelor's).
Is being a Respiratory Therapist a good career in Colorado?
Respiratory care involves bedside judgment, equipment, urgent patient needs, and licensed clinical responsibility.
Which Colorado metros pay respiratory therapists the most?
Among Colorado metro areas, Boulder leads at $91,880, followed by Colorado Springs ($87,890), Denver ($85,870). 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 Colorado?
Real Colorado options include Aims Community College, Arapahoe Community College, Colorado Mesa University. Most respiratory therapists start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Respiratory Therapist a growing career in Colorado?
Colorado projects respiratory therapists employment to change +30.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 180 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), Colorado statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-1126. Licensing summary compiled from the Colorado Office of Respiratory Therapy Licensure (DORA) (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 Colorado wages · Colorado 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.