Respiratory Therapist in Missouri: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Missouri employs 3,030 respiratory therapists, with a statewide median of $78,390 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Missouri licensing picture, and where to train.
What Respiratory therapists Earn in Missouri (May 2025)
- Missouri median pay
- $78,390 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $60,950
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $83,030
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $95,730
- Employed in Missouri
- 3,030
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $80,450 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for respiratory therapists in major Missouri markets:
- St. Louis metro
- $79,210 (1,260 employed)
- Kansas City metro
- $79,140 (1,190 employed)
- Jefferson City
- $77,500 (50 employed)
- Springfield
- $72,490 (310 employed)
- Columbia
- $69,400 (150 employed)
- Joplin
- $65,630 (150 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Missouri
Prices in Missouri run about 9% below the national average (cost-of-living index 90.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $78,390 median stretches to roughly $86,333 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Missouri (2024–2034)
Missouri is projected to grow respiratory therapists employment +15.9%, faster than the +12.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 220 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Missouri License and Certification Requirements
Respiratory Care Practitioner license — regulated by the Missouri Board for Respiratory Care.
- Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory care program (associate degree minimum).
- Pass the NBRC examination (CRT minimum; RRT preferred by the major systems).
- Apply through the Missouri Board for Respiratory Care.
Official requirements: Missouri Board for Respiratory Care →
Training in Missouri
BJC HealthCare (one of the nation's largest systems), Mercy, and SSM anchor steady statewide demand. Community college CoARC programs keep tuition manageable.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Missouri include:
- Avila University — Bachelor's
- Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center — Associate
- Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences — Bachelor's
- Concorde Career College-Kansas City — Associate
Where Respiratory therapists Work in Missouri
Real Missouri hospitals that employ respiratory therapists include:
- Barnes Jewish Hospital — Saint Louis
- Cox Medical Centers — Springfield
- Mercy Hospital Springfield — Springfield
- Mercy Hospital St Louis — Saint Louis
- Mercy Hospital South — Saint Louis
- Ssm Health St Mary's Hospital - St Louis — Richmond Heights
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 Missouri?
The median wage for respiratory therapists in Missouri is $78,390 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $60,950, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $95,730. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Respiratory Therapist in Missouri?
Respiratory Care Practitioner license, overseen by the Missouri Board for Respiratory Care. Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory care program (associate degree minimum).
Is being a Respiratory Therapist a good career in Missouri?
Respiratory care involves bedside judgment, equipment, urgent patient needs, and licensed clinical responsibility.
Which Missouri metros pay respiratory therapists the most?
Among Missouri metro areas, St. Louis metro leads at $79,210, followed by Kansas City metro ($79,140), Jefferson City ($77,500). 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 Missouri?
Real Missouri options include Avila University, Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center, Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Most respiratory therapists start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Respiratory Therapist a growing career in Missouri?
Missouri projects respiratory therapists employment to change +15.9% from 2024 to 2034, with about 220 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), Missouri statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-1126. Licensing summary compiled from the Missouri Board for 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 Missouri wages · Missouri 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.