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

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Kansas employs 1,450 respiratory therapists, with a statewide median of $76,970 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Kansas licensing picture, and where to train.

What Respiratory therapists Earn in Kansas (May 2025)

Kansas median pay: $76,970 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $60,470
Experienced (75th percentile): $81,240
Top earners (90th percentile): $94,600
Employed in Kansas: 1,450
U.S. median (for comparison): $80,450 (May 2024)

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

Kansas City: $79,140 (1,190 employed)
Topeka: $77,190 (120 employed)
St. Joseph: $73,860 (50 employed)
Wichita: $71,330 (320 employed)
Joplin: $65,630 (150 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Kansas

Prices in Kansas run about 10% below the national average (cost-of-living index 90.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $76,970 median stretches to roughly $85,427 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Kansas (2024–2034)

Kansas is projected to grow respiratory therapists employment +12.3%, about in line with the +12.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 90 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Kansas License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Respiratory Therapist — regulated by the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts.

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

Official requirements: Kansas State Board of Healing Arts →

Training in Kansas

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

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Kansas include:

Barton County Community College — Associate
Benedictine College — Bachelor's
Bethany College — Bachelor's
Bethel College-North Newton — Bachelor's

Where Respiratory therapists Work in Kansas

Real Kansas hospitals that employ respiratory therapists include:

Ascension Via Christi Hospitals Wichita, Inc. — Wichita
University of Kansas Hospital — Kansas City
VA Hosp — Topeka
Wesley Medical Center — Wichita
VA Hosp Wadsworth — Leavenworth
Stormont Vail Hospital — Topeka

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 Kansas?

The median wage for respiratory therapists in Kansas is $76,970 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $60,470, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $94,600. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Licensed Respiratory Therapist, overseen by the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts. Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.

Is being a Respiratory Therapist a good career in Kansas?

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

Which Kansas metros pay respiratory therapists the most?

Among Kansas metro areas, Kansas City leads at $79,140, followed by Topeka ($77,190), St. Joseph ($73,860). 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 Kansas?

Real Kansas options include Barton County Community College, Benedictine College, Bethany 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 Kansas?

Kansas projects respiratory therapists employment to change +12.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 90 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), Kansas statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-1126. Licensing summary compiled from the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts (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 Kansas wages · Kansas 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.