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

Allied healthcare

Nevada employs 1,270 respiratory therapists, with a statewide median of $85,480 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Nevada licensing picture, and where to train.

What Respiratory therapists Earn in Nevada (May 2025)

Nevada median pay: $85,480 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $65,150
Experienced (75th percentile): $106,820
Top earners (90th percentile): $118,710
Employed in Nevada: 1,270
U.S. median (for comparison): $80,450 (May 2024)

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

Reno: $105,140 (180 employed)
Las Vegas: $85,110 (1,020 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Nevada

Prices in Nevada run right about the national average (cost-of-living index 100.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $85,480 median holds roughly its face value.

Job Outlook in Nevada (2022–2032)

Nevada is projected to grow respiratory therapists employment +30.4%, faster than the +12.0% projected nationally.

Nevada License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Respiratory Therapist — regulated by the Nevada State 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 Nevada State Board of Respiratory Care; renew with continuing education.

Official requirements: Nevada State Board of Respiratory Care →

Training in Nevada

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

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Nevada include:

College of Southern Nevada — Associate / Bachelor's
Great Basin College — Associate / Bachelor's
Las Vegas College — Associate
Nevada Career Institute — Associate

Where Respiratory therapists Work in Nevada

Real Nevada hospitals that employ respiratory therapists include:

Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center — Las Vegas
Renown Regional Medical Center — Reno
Spring Valley Hospital Medical Center — Las Vegas
University Medical Center — Las Vegas
Summerlin Hospital Medical Center — Las Vegas
Mountainview Hospital — Las Vegas

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 Nevada?

The median wage for respiratory therapists in Nevada is $85,480 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $65,150, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $118,710. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Licensed Respiratory Therapist, overseen by the Nevada State Board of Respiratory Care. Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.

Is being a Respiratory Therapist a good career in Nevada?

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

Which Nevada metros pay respiratory therapists the most?

Among Nevada metro areas, Reno leads at $105,140, followed by Las Vegas ($85,110). 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 Nevada?

Real Nevada options include College of Southern Nevada, Great Basin College, Las Vegas 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 Nevada?

Nevada projects respiratory therapists employment to change +30.4% from 2022 to 2032 — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Nevada statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-1126. Licensing summary compiled from the Nevada State 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 Nevada wages · Nevada 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.