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

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New Jersey employs 3,350 respiratory therapists, with a statewide median of $100,810 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact New Jersey licensing picture, and where to train.

What Respiratory therapists Earn in New Jersey (May 2025)

New Jersey median pay: $100,810 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $78,000
Experienced (75th percentile): $106,320
Top earners (90th percentile): $123,370
Employed in New Jersey: 3,350
U.S. median (for comparison): $80,450 (May 2024)

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

New York–Newark: $110,490 (7,010 employed)
Atlantic City: $104,350 (110 employed)
Philadelphia: $88,790 (2,990 employed)
Allentown–Bethlehem: $79,960 (490 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in New Jersey

Prices in New Jersey run about 9% above the national average (cost-of-living index 108.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $100,810 median is worth closer to $92,656 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in New Jersey (2024–2034)

New Jersey is projected to grow respiratory therapists employment +17.0%, faster than the +12.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 240 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

New Jersey License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner (LRCP) — regulated by the New Jersey Board of Respiratory Care (Division of Consumer Affairs).

Earn at least an associate degree from a CoARC-accredited respiratory care program (about 2 years, includes clinical rotations in hospital settings).
Obtain an NBRC credential — the CRT (Certified Respiratory Therapist) as a minimum; most NJ hospital employers require the RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist).
Apply for the New Jersey LRCP license through the Board of Respiratory Care with your NBRC credential documentation. Renew biennially with continuing education.

Official requirements: New Jersey Board of Respiratory Care (Division of Consumer Affairs) →

Training in New Jersey

CoARC-accredited New Jersey programs include those at Bergen Community College, Essex County College, and Union County College. NJ's dense hospital corridor — especially the major systems in Newark, Jersey City, Morristown, and Camden — provides strong placement opportunities. NICU and pediatric respiratory positions in academic medical centers pay the highest.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in New Jersey include:

Atlantic Cape Community College — Associate
Bergen Community College — Associate
Berkeley College-Woodland Park — Associate
Brookdale Community College — Associate

Where Respiratory therapists Work in New Jersey

Real New Jersey hospitals that employ respiratory therapists include:

VA Hosp — Lyons
VA Hosp — East Orange
Hackensack University Medical Center — Hackensack
Morristown Medical Center — Morristown
Ancora Psych Hosp — Hammonton
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center — Newark

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 Jersey?

The median wage for respiratory therapists in New Jersey is $100,810 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $78,000, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $123,370. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner (LRCP), overseen by the New Jersey Board of Respiratory Care (Division of Consumer Affairs). Earn at least an associate degree from a CoARC-accredited respiratory care program (about 2 years, includes clinical rotations in hospital settings).

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

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

Which New Jersey metros pay respiratory therapists the most?

Among New Jersey metro areas, New York–Newark leads at $110,490, followed by Atlantic City ($104,350), Philadelphia ($88,790). 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 Jersey?

Real New Jersey options include Atlantic Cape Community College, Bergen Community College, Berkeley College-Woodland Park. 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 Jersey?

New Jersey projects respiratory therapists employment to change +17.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 240 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 Jersey statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-1126. Licensing summary compiled from the New Jersey Board of Respiratory Care (Division of Consumer Affairs) (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 Jersey wages · New Jersey 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.