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

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Idaho employs 820 respiratory therapists, with a statewide median of $78,460 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Idaho licensing picture, and where to train.

What Respiratory therapists Earn in Idaho (May 2025)

Idaho median pay: $78,460 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $63,540
Experienced (75th percentile): $80,040
Top earners (90th percentile): $95,290
Employed in Idaho: 820
U.S. median (for comparison): $80,450 (May 2024)

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

Twin Falls: $79,520 (40 employed)
Boise City: $78,460 (430 employed)
Pocatello: $73,270 (60 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Idaho

Prices in Idaho run about 4% below the national average (cost-of-living index 95.5 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $78,460 median stretches to roughly $82,157 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Idaho (2024–2034)

Idaho is projected to grow respiratory therapists employment +31.3%, faster than the +12.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 70 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Idaho License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Respiratory Therapist — regulated by the Idaho Division of Occupational & Professional Licenses (DOPL) — Board of Medicine (Respiratory Therapy).

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

Official requirements: Idaho Division of Occupational & Professional Licenses (DOPL) — Board of Medicine (Respiratory Therapy) →

Training in Idaho

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

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Idaho include:

Boise State University — Bachelor's
Brigham Young University-Idaho — Bachelor's
College of Eastern Idaho — Associate
College of Southern Idaho — Associate

Where Respiratory therapists Work in Idaho

Real Idaho hospitals that employ respiratory therapists include:

St Luke's Regional Medical Center — Boise
Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center — Boise
Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center — Idaho Falls
Kootenai Health — Coeur D'alene
St Luke's Magic Valley Rmc — Twin Falls
Boise VA Medical Center — Boise

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 Idaho?

The median wage for respiratory therapists in Idaho is $78,460 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $63,540, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $95,290. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Licensed Respiratory Therapist, overseen by the Idaho Division of Occupational & Professional Licenses (DOPL) — Board of Medicine (Respiratory Therapy). Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.

Is being a Respiratory Therapist a good career in Idaho?

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

Which Idaho metros pay respiratory therapists the most?

Among Idaho metro areas, Twin Falls leads at $79,520, followed by Boise City ($78,460), Pocatello ($73,270). 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 Idaho?

Real Idaho options include Boise State University, Brigham Young University-Idaho, College of Eastern Idaho. Most respiratory therapists start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Respiratory Therapist a growing career in Idaho?

Idaho projects respiratory therapists employment to change +31.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 70 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), Idaho statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-1126. Licensing summary compiled from the Idaho Division of Occupational & Professional Licenses (DOPL) — Board of Medicine (Respiratory Therapy) (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 Idaho wages · Idaho 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.