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

Allied healthcare

Iowa employs 910 respiratory therapists, with a statewide median of $74,760 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Iowa licensing picture, and where to train.

What Respiratory therapists Earn in Iowa (May 2025)

Iowa median pay: $74,760 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $62,860
Experienced (75th percentile): $80,730
Top earners (90th percentile): $86,510
Employed in Iowa: 910
U.S. median (for comparison): $80,450 (May 2024)

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

Omaha: $81,270 (460 employed)
Des Moines: $75,650 (200 employed)
Davenport: $75,460 (100 employed)
Iowa City: $75,110 (150 employed)
Cedar Rapids: $66,830 (70 employed)
Waterloo: $65,070 (70 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Iowa

Prices in Iowa run about 12% below the national average (cost-of-living index 87.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $74,760 median stretches to roughly $85,148 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Iowa (2024–2034)

Iowa is projected to grow respiratory therapists employment +17.1%, faster than the +12.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 80 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Iowa License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner — regulated by the Iowa Board of Respiratory Care (DIAL).

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

Official requirements: Iowa Board of Respiratory Care (DIAL) →

Training in Iowa

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

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Iowa include:

Allen College — Associate / Bachelor's
Briar Cliff University — Bachelor's
Buena Vista University — Bachelor's
Central College — Bachelor's

Where Respiratory therapists Work in Iowa

Real Iowa hospitals that employ respiratory therapists include:

VA Hosp — Knoxville
University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center — Iowa City
Unitypoint Health - Des Moines Iowa Methodist Medi — Des Moines
Mercyone Des Moines Medical Center — Des Moines
St Lukes Hospital — Cedar Rapids
Mercyone Dubuque Medical Center — Dubuque

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 Iowa?

The median wage for respiratory therapists in Iowa is $74,760 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $62,860, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $86,510. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner, overseen by the Iowa Board of Respiratory Care (DIAL). Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.

Is being a Respiratory Therapist a good career in Iowa?

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

Which Iowa metros pay respiratory therapists the most?

Among Iowa metro areas, Omaha leads at $81,270, followed by Des Moines ($75,650), Davenport ($75,460). 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 Iowa?

Real Iowa options include Allen College, Briar Cliff University, Buena Vista 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 Iowa?

Iowa projects respiratory therapists employment to change +17.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 80 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), Iowa statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-1126. Licensing summary compiled from the Iowa Board of Respiratory Care (DIAL) (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 Iowa wages · Iowa 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.