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

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Indiana employs 3,170 respiratory therapists, with a statewide median of $79,730 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Indiana licensing picture, and where to train.

What Respiratory therapists Earn in Indiana (May 2025)

Indiana median pay: $79,730 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $62,730
Experienced (75th percentile): $84,960
Top earners (90th percentile): $94,980
Employed in Indiana: 3,170
U.S. median (for comparison): $80,450 (May 2024)

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

Indianapolis: $81,720 (1,230 employed)
South Bend: $79,450 (110 employed)
Evansville: $78,990 (170 employed)
Fort Wayne: $77,390 (210 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Indiana

Prices in Indiana run about 7% below the national average (cost-of-living index 93.3 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $79,730 median stretches to roughly $85,456 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Indiana (2024–2034)

Indiana is projected to grow respiratory therapists employment +11.5%, about in line with the +12.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 210 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Indiana License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Respiratory Therapist (CRT or RRT) — regulated by the Indiana Respiratory Care Committee — Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA).

Graduate from a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program at Indiana University, Ivy Tech Community College (multiple campuses), or Indiana State University (Terre Haute).
Pass the NBRC Therapist Multiple Choice (TMC) exam. Indiana accepts both the CRT and RRT credential for licensure — RRT is required for most hospital positions and critical care roles.
Apply to the Indiana Respiratory Care Committee (IPLA) for your state RT license. Renew every two years. IU Health, Ascension St. Vincent, Franciscan Health, and Parkview Health are major employers.

Official requirements: Indiana Respiratory Care Committee — Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) →

Training in Indiana

Indiana has several strong CoARC-accredited programs through Ivy Tech's statewide network. Indianapolis's large hospital systems create consistent RT demand. Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health is a major pediatric RT employer. Indiana's respiratory therapy wages are slightly below the national median but the cost of living is low.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Indiana include:

Anderson University — Bachelor's
Ball State University — Associate / Bachelor's
Caris College — Associate
Franklin College — Bachelor's

Where Respiratory therapists Work in Indiana

Real Indiana hospitals that employ respiratory therapists include:

Indiana University Health — Indianapolis
VA Northern Indiana Hlth Care System-Marion Campus — Marion
Ascension St Vincent Hospital — Indianapolis
Richard L Roudebush VA Medical Cente — Indianapolis
Parkview Regional Medical Center — Fort Wayne
Deaconess Hospital Inc — Evansville

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 Indiana?

The median wage for respiratory therapists in Indiana is $79,730 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $62,730, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $94,980. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Licensed Respiratory Therapist (CRT or RRT), overseen by the Indiana Respiratory Care Committee — Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA). Graduate from a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program at Indiana University, Ivy Tech Community College (multiple campuses), or Indiana State University (Terre Haute).

Is being a Respiratory Therapist a good career in Indiana?

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

Which Indiana metros pay respiratory therapists the most?

Among Indiana metro areas, Indianapolis leads at $81,720, followed by South Bend ($79,450), Evansville ($78,990). 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 Indiana?

Real Indiana options include Anderson University, Ball State University, Caris 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 Indiana?

Indiana projects respiratory therapists employment to change +11.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 210 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), Indiana statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-1126. Licensing summary compiled from the Indiana Respiratory Care Committee — Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) (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 Indiana wages · Indiana 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.