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

Allied healthcare

Hawaii employs 510 respiratory therapists, with a statewide median of $94,210 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Hawaii licensing picture, and where to train.

What Respiratory therapists Earn in Hawaii (May 2025)

Hawaii median pay: $94,210 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $80,130
Experienced (75th percentile): $102,170
Top earners (90th percentile): $102,780
Employed in Hawaii: 510
U.S. median (for comparison): $80,450 (May 2024)

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

Urban Honolulu: $94,210 (440 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Hawaii

Prices in Hawaii run about 10% above the national average (cost-of-living index 110.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $94,210 median is worth closer to $85,645 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Hawaii (2024–2034)

Hawaii is projected to grow respiratory therapists employment +16.6%, faster than the +12.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 20 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Hawaii License and Certification Requirements

RRT credential (employer-required); verify Hawaii licensure status — regulated by the Hawaii — RRT credential is the standard (confirm current state requirement).

Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.
Pass the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) exam to earn the RRT credential.
Confirm Hawaii's current licensure requirement with DCCA; employers require the RRT regardless.

Official requirements: Hawaii — RRT credential is the standard (confirm current state requirement) →

Training in Hawaii

Hawaii has historically been light on respiratory-care licensure, but employers require the RRT. Confirm the current state requirement before applying.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Hawaii include:

Kapiolani Community College — Associate

Where Respiratory therapists Work in Hawaii

Real Hawaii hospitals that employ respiratory therapists include:

US Army Tripler Gen Hosp — Tamc
The Queens Medical Center — Honolulu
Kaiser Foundation Hospital — Honolulu
Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children — Honolulu
VA Pacific Islands Hcs — Honolulu
Maui Memorial Medical Center — Wailuku

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 Hawaii?

The median wage for respiratory therapists in Hawaii is $94,210 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $80,130, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $102,780. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

RRT credential (employer-required); verify Hawaii licensure status, overseen by the Hawaii — RRT credential is the standard (confirm current state requirement). Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.

Is being a Respiratory Therapist a good career in Hawaii?

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

Which Hawaii metros pay respiratory therapists the most?

Among Hawaii metro areas, Urban Honolulu leads at $94,210. 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 Hawaii?

Real Hawaii options include Kapiolani Community College. Most respiratory therapists start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Respiratory Therapist a growing career in Hawaii?

Hawaii projects respiratory therapists employment to change +16.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 20 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), Hawaii statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-1126. Licensing summary compiled from the Hawaii — RRT credential is the standard (confirm current state requirement) (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 Hawaii wages · Hawaii 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.