Respiratory Therapist in Kentucky: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Kentucky employs 2,530 respiratory therapists, with a statewide median of $72,750 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Kentucky licensing picture, and where to train.
What Respiratory therapists Earn in Kentucky (May 2025)
- Kentucky median pay
- $72,750 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $58,330
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $79,730
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $92,540
- Employed in Kentucky
- 2,530
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $80,450 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for respiratory therapists in major Kentucky markets:
- Cincinnati
- $81,600 (1,300 employed)
- Lexington
- $80,040 (430 employed)
- Clarksville
- $79,150 (60 employed)
- Louisville/Jefferson County
- $76,560 (840 employed)
- Bowling Green
- $68,490 (90 employed)
- Huntington
- $66,040 (270 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Kentucky
Prices in Kentucky run about 10% below the national average (cost-of-living index 90.2 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $72,750 median stretches to roughly $80,654 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Kentucky (2024–2034)
Kentucky is projected to grow respiratory therapists employment +8.4%, slower than the +12.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 180 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Kentucky License and Certification Requirements
Licensed Respiratory Therapist (RCP) — regulated by the Kentucky Board of Respiratory Care.
- Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.
- Pass the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) exam.
- Apply for licensure through the Kentucky Board of Respiratory Care; renew with continuing education.
Official requirements: Kentucky Board of Respiratory Care →
Training in Kentucky
Employers expect the RRT credential. Steady hospital demand; CoARC technical-college programs keep tuition reasonable.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Kentucky include:
- ATA College — Associate
- American National University-Louisville — Associate
- Ashland Community and Technical College — Associate
- Bellarmine University — Bachelor's
Where Respiratory therapists Work in Kentucky
Real Kentucky hospitals that employ respiratory therapists include:
- Norton Hospital / Norton Healthcare Pavilion / Nor — Louisville
- Uofl Health - Jewish Hospital — Louisville
- University of Kentucky Hospital — Lexington
- St Elizabeth Medical Center North — Edgewood
- Baptist Health Louisville — Louisville
- Western State Hospital — Hopkinsville
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 Kentucky?
The median wage for respiratory therapists in Kentucky is $72,750 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $58,330, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $92,540. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Respiratory Therapist in Kentucky?
Licensed Respiratory Therapist (RCP), overseen by the Kentucky Board of Respiratory Care. Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.
Is being a Respiratory Therapist a good career in Kentucky?
Respiratory care involves bedside judgment, equipment, urgent patient needs, and licensed clinical responsibility.
Which Kentucky metros pay respiratory therapists the most?
Among Kentucky metro areas, Cincinnati leads at $81,600, followed by Lexington ($80,040), Clarksville ($79,150). 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 Kentucky?
Real Kentucky options include ATA College, American National University-Louisville, Ashland Community and Technical 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 Kentucky?
Kentucky projects respiratory therapists employment to change +8.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 180 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), Kentucky statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-1126. Licensing summary compiled from the Kentucky Board of Respiratory Care (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 Kentucky wages · Kentucky 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.