Respiratory Therapist in Florida: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Florida employs 8,820 respiratory therapists, with a statewide median of $81,160 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Florida licensing picture, and where to train.
What Respiratory therapists Earn in Florida (May 2025)
- Florida median pay
- $81,160 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $64,240
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $87,990
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $100,310
- Employed in Florida
- 8,820
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $80,450 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for respiratory therapists in major Florida markets:
- Sarasota–Bradenton
- $83,110 (260 employed)
- Orlando
- $82,070 (1,190 employed)
- Jacksonville
- $81,760 (670 employed)
- Tampa Bay
- $81,630 (1,320 employed)
- Pensacola
- $81,540 (200 employed)
- Miami–Fort Lauderdale
- $80,880 (2,620 employed)
- Fort Myers
- $80,680 (350 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Florida
Prices in Florida run about 3% above the national average (cost-of-living index 103.4 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $81,160 median is worth closer to $78,491 once higher local prices are factored in.
Job Outlook in Florida (2026–2034)
Florida is projected to grow respiratory therapists employment +14.6%, faster than the +12.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 650 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Florida License and Certification Requirements
Respiratory Care Practitioner license — regulated by the Florida Board of Respiratory Care.
- Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory care program (associate degree, ~2 years).
- Pass the NBRC examination (CRT minimum; most Florida employers prefer RRT).
- Apply to the Florida Board of Respiratory Care; renew with 24 CE hours including laws/rules and medical-error courses.
Official requirements: Florida Board of Respiratory Care →
Training in Florida
Florida's retiree demographics make respiratory care one of the state's most reliable healthcare bets — COPD and cardiopulmonary caseloads are high statewide. Hospital systems hire across Miami, Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville continuously.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Florida include:
- ATA Career Education — Associate
- Advance Science International College — Associate
- AdventHealth University — Associate / Bachelor's
- American Medical Academy — Associate
Where Respiratory therapists Work in Florida
Real Florida hospitals that employ respiratory therapists include:
- Adventhealth Orlando — Orlando
- Jackson Memorial Hospital — Miami
- Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center — Orlando
- St Josephs Hospital — Tampa
- Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville — Jacksonville
- Northeast Florida State Hospital — Macclenny
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 Florida?
The median wage for respiratory therapists in Florida is $81,160 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $64,240, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $100,310. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Respiratory Therapist in Florida?
Respiratory Care Practitioner license, overseen by the Florida Board of Respiratory Care. Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory care program (associate degree, ~2 years).
Is being a Respiratory Therapist a good career in Florida?
Respiratory care involves bedside judgment, equipment, urgent patient needs, and licensed clinical responsibility.
Which Florida metros pay respiratory therapists the most?
Among Florida metro areas, Sarasota–Bradenton leads at $83,110, followed by Orlando ($82,070), Jacksonville ($81,760). 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 Florida?
Real Florida options include ATA Career Education, Advance Science International College, AdventHealth 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 Florida?
Florida projects respiratory therapists employment to change +14.6% from 2026 to 2034, with about 650 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), Florida statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-1126. Licensing summary compiled from the Florida Board of 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 Florida wages · Florida 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.