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Respiratory Therapist in Delaware: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

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Delaware employs 500 respiratory therapists, with a statewide median of $91,080 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Delaware licensing picture, and where to train.

What Respiratory therapists Earn in Delaware (May 2025)

Delaware median pay: $91,080 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $79,210
Experienced (75th percentile): $97,000
Top earners (90th percentile): $109,890
Employed in Delaware: 500
U.S. median (for comparison): $80,450 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for respiratory therapists in major Delaware markets:

Philadelphia: $88,790 (2,990 employed)
Dover: $84,410 (60 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Delaware

Prices in Delaware run right about the national average (cost-of-living index 99.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $91,080 median holds roughly its face value.

Job Outlook in Delaware (2024–2034)

Delaware is projected to grow respiratory therapists employment +27.9%, faster than the +12.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 40 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Delaware License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner — regulated by the Delaware DPR — Respiratory Care Practice Advisory Council.

Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.
Pass the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) exam.
Apply for licensure through Delaware DPR; renew with continuing education.

Official requirements: Delaware DPR — Respiratory Care Practice Advisory Council →

Training in Delaware

Employers expect the RRT credential. Steady hospital demand; CoARC community-college programs keep tuition reasonable.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Delaware include:

Delaware Technical Community College-Terry — Associate
University of Delaware — Bachelor's

Where Respiratory therapists Work in Delaware

Real Delaware hospitals that employ respiratory therapists include:

Christianacare — Newark
St Francis Hospital — Wilmington
Bayhealth Medical Center, Kent Campus — Dover
Wilmington VA Medical & Regional Office Center — Wilmington
Delaware Psychiatric Center — New Castle
Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware — Wilmington

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 Delaware?

The median wage for respiratory therapists in Delaware is $91,080 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $79,210, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $109,890. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Respiratory Therapist in Delaware?

Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner, overseen by the Delaware DPR — Respiratory Care Practice Advisory Council. Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.

Is being a Respiratory Therapist a good career in Delaware?

Respiratory care involves bedside judgment, equipment, urgent patient needs, and licensed clinical responsibility.

Which Delaware metros pay respiratory therapists the most?

Among Delaware metro areas, Philadelphia leads at $88,790, followed by Dover ($84,410). 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 Delaware?

Real Delaware options include Delaware Technical Community College-Terry, University of Delaware. Most respiratory therapists start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Respiratory Therapist a growing career in Delaware?

Delaware projects respiratory therapists employment to change +27.9% from 2024 to 2034, with about 40 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), Delaware statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-1126. Licensing summary compiled from the Delaware DPR — Respiratory Care Practice Advisory Council (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 Delaware wages · Delaware 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.