Respiratory Therapist in Louisiana: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Louisiana employs 2,520 respiratory therapists, with a statewide median of $75,240 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Louisiana licensing picture, and where to train.
What Respiratory therapists Earn in Louisiana (May 2025)
- Louisiana median pay
- $75,240 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $61,520
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $80,150
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $91,200
- Employed in Louisiana
- 2,520
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $80,450 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for respiratory therapists in major Louisiana markets:
- Slidell
- $76,680 (230 employed)
- New Orleans
- $76,590 (620 employed)
- Lafayette
- $76,210 (290 employed)
- Baton Rouge
- $74,220 (320 employed)
- Shreveport
- $73,940 (280 employed)
- Lake Charles
- $73,680 (60 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Louisiana
Prices in Louisiana run about 12% below the national average (cost-of-living index 88.2 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $75,240 median stretches to roughly $85,306 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Louisiana (2024–2034)
Louisiana is projected to grow respiratory therapists employment +10.0%, slower than the +12.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 150 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Louisiana License and Certification Requirements
Licensed Respiratory Therapist — regulated by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners (Respiratory Therapy).
- Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.
- Pass the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) exam.
- Apply for licensure through the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners; renew with continuing education.
Official requirements: Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners (Respiratory Therapy) →
Training in Louisiana
Employers expect the RRT credential. Steady hospital demand; CoARC technical-college programs keep tuition reasonable.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Louisiana include:
- Baton Rouge Community College — Associate
- Bossier Parish Community College — Associate
- Delgado Community College — Associate
- Fletcher Technical Community College — Associate
Where Respiratory therapists Work in Louisiana
Real Louisiana hospitals that employ respiratory therapists include:
- Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center — Baton Rouge
- Ochsner Medical Center — New Orleans
- Willis Knighton Medical Center, Inc — Shreveport
- East Jefferson General Hospital — Metairie
- VA Hosp — New Orleans
- Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center — Lafayette
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 Louisiana?
The median wage for respiratory therapists in Louisiana is $75,240 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $61,520, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $91,200. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Respiratory Therapist in Louisiana?
Licensed Respiratory Therapist, overseen by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners (Respiratory Therapy). Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.
Is being a Respiratory Therapist a good career in Louisiana?
Respiratory care involves bedside judgment, equipment, urgent patient needs, and licensed clinical responsibility.
Which Louisiana metros pay respiratory therapists the most?
Among Louisiana metro areas, Slidell leads at $76,680, followed by New Orleans ($76,590), Lafayette ($76,210). 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 Louisiana?
Real Louisiana options include Baton Rouge Community College, Bossier Parish Community College, Delgado Community 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 Louisiana?
Louisiana projects respiratory therapists employment to change +10.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 150 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), Louisiana statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-1126. Licensing summary compiled from the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners (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 Louisiana wages · Louisiana 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.