Respiratory Therapist in Minnesota: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Minnesota employs 1,250 respiratory therapists, with a statewide median of $98,710 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Minnesota licensing picture, and where to train.
What Respiratory therapists Earn in Minnesota (May 2025)
- Minnesota median pay
- $98,710 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $79,060
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $103,010
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $110,050
- Employed in Minnesota
- 1,250
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $80,450 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for respiratory therapists in major Minnesota markets:
- Minneapolis
- $100,920 (820 employed)
- Rochester
- $98,700 (160 employed)
- Duluth
- $85,700 (100 employed)
- Fargo
- $84,480 (140 employed)
- Sioux Falls
- $63,630 (270 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Minnesota
Prices in Minnesota run about 1% below the national average (cost-of-living index 98.6 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $98,710 median stretches to roughly $100,112 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Minnesota (2024–2034)
Minnesota is projected to grow respiratory therapists employment +15.7%, faster than the +12.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 70 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Minnesota License and Certification Requirements
Licensed Respiratory Therapist (RT) — regulated by the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice.
- Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.
- Pass the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) exam.
- Apply to the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice; renew with ~24 hours CE every 2 years.
Official requirements: Minnesota Board of Medical Practice →
Training in Minnesota
Employers expect the RRT credential. Steady hospital demand; CoARC community-college programs keep tuition reasonable.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Minnesota include:
- Anoka Technical College — Associate
- Bethel University — Bachelor's
- Century College — Associate
- Concordia University-Saint Paul — Associate / Bachelor's
Where Respiratory therapists Work in Minnesota
Real Minnesota hospitals that employ respiratory therapists include:
- Mayo Clinic Hospital Rochester — Rochester
- M Health Fairview University of MN Medical Center — Minneapolis
- VA Hosp — Saint Cloud
- Abbott Northwestern Hospital — Minneapolis
- Hennepin County Medical Center — Minneapolis
- United Hospital — Saint Paul
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 Minnesota?
The median wage for respiratory therapists in Minnesota is $98,710 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $79,060, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $110,050. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Respiratory Therapist in Minnesota?
Licensed Respiratory Therapist (RT), overseen by the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice. Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.
Is being a Respiratory Therapist a good career in Minnesota?
Respiratory care involves bedside judgment, equipment, urgent patient needs, and licensed clinical responsibility.
Which Minnesota metros pay respiratory therapists the most?
Among Minnesota metro areas, Minneapolis leads at $100,920, followed by Rochester ($98,700), Duluth ($85,700). 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 Minnesota?
Real Minnesota options include Anoka Technical College, Bethel University, Century 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 Minnesota?
Minnesota projects respiratory therapists employment to change +15.7% from 2024 to 2034, with about 70 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), Minnesota statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-1126. Licensing summary compiled from the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice (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 Minnesota wages · Minnesota 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.