Respiratory Therapist in North Dakota: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
North Dakota employs 270 respiratory therapists, with a statewide median of $81,230 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact North Dakota licensing picture, and where to train.
What Respiratory therapists Earn in North Dakota (May 2025)
- North Dakota median pay
- $81,230 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $65,770
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $84,570
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $100,490
- Employed in North Dakota
- 270
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $80,450 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for respiratory therapists in major North Dakota markets:
- Bismarck
- $84,570 (50 employed)
- Fargo
- $84,480 (140 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in North Dakota
Prices in North Dakota run about 11% below the national average (cost-of-living index 89.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $81,230 median stretches to roughly $91,270 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in North Dakota (2024–2034)
North Dakota is projected to grow respiratory therapists employment +21.1%, faster than the +12.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 20 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
North Dakota License and Certification Requirements
Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner — regulated by the North Dakota 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 North Dakota Board of Respiratory Care; renew with continuing education.
Official requirements: North Dakota Board of Respiratory Care →
Training in North Dakota
Employers expect the RRT credential. Steady hospital demand; CoARC community-college programs keep tuition reasonable.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in North Dakota include:
- Bismarck State College — Associate
- Dakota College at Bottineau — Associate
- Minot State University — Bachelor's
- North Dakota State College of Science — Associate
Where Respiratory therapists Work in North Dakota
Real North Dakota hospitals that employ respiratory therapists include:
- Sanford — Fargo
- Trinity Hospitals — Minot
- Chi St Alexius Health — Bismarck
- Altru Hospital — Grand Forks
- Sanford Medical Center Bismarck — Bismarck
- VA Hosp — Fargo
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 Dakota?
The median wage for respiratory therapists in North Dakota is $81,230 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $65,770, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $100,490. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Respiratory Therapist in North Dakota?
Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner, overseen by the North Dakota Board of Respiratory Care. Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.
Is being a Respiratory Therapist a good career in North Dakota?
Respiratory care involves bedside judgment, equipment, urgent patient needs, and licensed clinical responsibility.
Which North Dakota metros pay respiratory therapists the most?
Among North Dakota metro areas, Bismarck leads at $84,570, followed by Fargo ($84,480). 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 Dakota?
Real North Dakota options include Bismarck State College, Dakota College at Bottineau, Minot State University. 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 Dakota?
North Dakota projects respiratory therapists employment to change +21.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 20 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 Dakota statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-1126. Licensing summary compiled from the North Dakota 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 North Dakota wages · North Dakota 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.