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

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New Hampshire employs 360 respiratory therapists, with a statewide median of $95,940 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact New Hampshire licensing picture, and where to train.

What Respiratory therapists Earn in New Hampshire (May 2025)

New Hampshire median pay: $95,940 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $80,490
Experienced (75th percentile): $101,180
Top earners (90th percentile): $109,000
Employed in New Hampshire: 360
U.S. median (for comparison): $80,450 (May 2024)

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

Boston: $104,580 (1,560 employed)
Manchester: $93,300 (100 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in New Hampshire

Prices in New Hampshire run about 4% above the national average (cost-of-living index 104.2 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $95,940 median is worth closer to $92,073 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in New Hampshire (2024–2034)

New Hampshire is projected to grow respiratory therapists employment +20.3%, 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.

New Hampshire License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner — regulated by the New Hampshire OPLC — Respiratory Care.

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

Official requirements: New Hampshire OPLC — Respiratory Care →

Training in New Hampshire

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

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in New Hampshire include:

Colby-Sawyer College — Bachelor's
Great Bay Community College — Associate
Keene State College — Bachelor's
NHTI-Concord's Community College — Associate

Where Respiratory therapists Work in New Hampshire

Real New Hampshire hospitals that employ respiratory therapists include:

Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital — Lebanon
Catholic Medical Center — Manchester
Elliot Hospital — Manchester
Concord Hospital — Concord
New Hampshire Hosp-Psych Unit — Concord
Portsmouth Regional Hospital — Portsmouth

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 New Hampshire?

The median wage for respiratory therapists in New Hampshire is $95,940 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $80,490, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $109,000. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner, overseen by the New Hampshire OPLC — Respiratory Care. Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.

Is being a Respiratory Therapist a good career in New Hampshire?

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

Which New Hampshire metros pay respiratory therapists the most?

Among New Hampshire metro areas, Boston leads at $104,580, followed by Manchester ($93,300). 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 New Hampshire?

Real New Hampshire options include Colby-Sawyer College, Great Bay Community College, Keene State 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 New Hampshire?

New Hampshire projects respiratory therapists employment to change +20.3% 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), New Hampshire statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-1126. Licensing summary compiled from the New Hampshire OPLC — 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 New Hampshire wages · New Hampshire 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.