Respiratory Therapist in North Carolina: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
North Carolina employs 4,630 respiratory therapists, with a statewide median of $80,090 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact North Carolina licensing picture, and where to train.
What Respiratory therapists Earn in North Carolina (May 2025)
- North Carolina median pay
- $80,090 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $63,990
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $87,820
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $99,520
- Employed in North Carolina
- 4,630
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $80,450 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for respiratory therapists in major North Carolina markets:
- Raleigh
- $87,820 (430 employed)
- Charlotte metro
- $82,020 (1,110 employed)
- Asheville
- $81,550 (150 employed)
- Winston-Salem
- $80,250 (530 employed)
- Greensboro
- $80,090 (290 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in North Carolina
Prices in North Carolina run about 6% below the national average (cost-of-living index 94.3 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $80,090 median stretches to roughly $84,931 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in North Carolina (2024–2034)
North Carolina is projected to grow respiratory therapists employment +18.4%, faster than the +12.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 320 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
North Carolina License and Certification Requirements
Respiratory Care Practitioner license — regulated by the North Carolina Respiratory Care Board.
- Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory care program (associate degree minimum).
- Pass the NBRC examination (RRT preferred by the academic systems).
- Apply through the NC Respiratory Care Board.
Official requirements: North Carolina Respiratory Care Board →
Training in North Carolina
Duke, UNC, Atrium, and Novant hire continuously, and NC's community colleges run affordable CoARC programs. Research-hospital settings (Duke, UNC) add clinical specialty tracks.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in North Carolina include:
- Alamance Community College — Associate
- Appalachian State University — Bachelor's
- Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College — Associate
- Beaufort County Community College — Associate
Where Respiratory therapists Work in North Carolina
Real North Carolina hospitals that employ respiratory therapists include:
- Cone Health — Greensboro
- Duke University Hospital — Durham
- Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center — Winston-Salem
- Ecu Health Medical Center — Greenville
- W G Hefner VA Medical Center — Salisbury
- North Carolina Baptist Hospital — Winston-Salem
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 North Carolina?
The median wage for respiratory therapists in North Carolina is $80,090 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $63,990, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $99,520. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Respiratory Therapist in North Carolina?
Respiratory Care Practitioner license, overseen by the North Carolina Respiratory Care Board. Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory care program (associate degree minimum).
Is being a Respiratory Therapist a good career in North Carolina?
Respiratory care involves bedside judgment, equipment, urgent patient needs, and licensed clinical responsibility.
Which North Carolina metros pay respiratory therapists the most?
Among North Carolina metro areas, Raleigh leads at $87,820, followed by Charlotte metro ($82,020), Asheville ($81,550). 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 North Carolina?
Real North Carolina options include Alamance Community College, Appalachian State University, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community 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 North Carolina?
North Carolina projects respiratory therapists employment to change +18.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 320 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), North Carolina statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-1126. Licensing summary compiled from the North Carolina Respiratory Care Board (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 North Carolina wages · North Carolina 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.