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

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Montana employs 390 respiratory therapists, with a statewide median of $81,190 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Montana licensing picture, and where to train.

What Respiratory therapists Earn in Montana (May 2025)

Montana median pay: $81,190 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $60,800
Experienced (75th percentile): $85,320
Top earners (90th percentile): $92,890
Employed in Montana: 390
U.S. median (for comparison): $80,450 (May 2024)

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

Missoula: $82,580 (70 employed)
Billings: $79,820 (100 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Montana

Prices in Montana run about 5% below the national average (cost-of-living index 94.6 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $81,190 median stretches to roughly $85,825 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Montana (2024–2034)

Montana is projected to grow respiratory therapists employment +17.8%, faster than the +12.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 30 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Montana License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner — regulated by the Montana DLI — Board of Respiratory Care Practitioners.

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

Official requirements: Montana DLI — Board of Respiratory Care Practitioners →

Training in Montana

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

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Montana include:

Flathead Valley Community College — Associate
Great Falls College Montana State University — Associate
Highlands College of Montana Tech — Associate
Montana State University Billings — Associate

Where Respiratory therapists Work in Montana

Real Montana hospitals that employ respiratory therapists include:

Benefis Hospitals Inc — Great Falls
Billings Clinic Hospital — Billings
Intermountain Health St Vincent Regional Hospital — Billings
St Patrick Hospital — Missoula
VA Hosp — Fort Harrison
Logan Health Medical Center — Kalispell

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 Montana?

The median wage for respiratory therapists in Montana is $81,190 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $60,800, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $92,890. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner, overseen by the Montana DLI — Board of Respiratory Care Practitioners. Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.

Is being a Respiratory Therapist a good career in Montana?

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

Which Montana metros pay respiratory therapists the most?

Among Montana metro areas, Missoula leads at $82,580, followed by Billings ($79,820). 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 Montana?

Real Montana options include Flathead Valley Community College, Great Falls College Montana State University, Highlands College of Montana Tech. Most respiratory therapists start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Respiratory Therapist a growing career in Montana?

Montana projects respiratory therapists employment to change +17.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 30 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), Montana statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-1126. Licensing summary compiled from the Montana DLI — Board of Respiratory Care Practitioners (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 Montana wages · Montana 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.