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

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Ohio employs 6,640 respiratory therapists, with a statewide median of $79,920 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Ohio licensing picture, and where to train.

What Respiratory therapists Earn in Ohio (May 2025)

Ohio median pay: $79,920 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $65,580
Experienced (75th percentile): $90,380
Top earners (90th percentile): $97,030
Employed in Ohio: 6,640
U.S. median (for comparison): $80,450 (May 2024)

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

Toledo: $82,280 (350 employed)
Columbus: $81,860 (1,220 employed)
Cincinnati: $81,600 (1,300 employed)
Dayton: $81,420 (610 employed)
Cleveland: $80,360 (1,380 employed)
Akron: $78,940 (350 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Ohio

Prices in Ohio run about 7% below the national average (cost-of-living index 92.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $79,920 median stretches to roughly $86,121 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Ohio (2024–2034)

Ohio is projected to grow respiratory therapists employment +8.9%, slower than the +12.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 380 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Ohio License and Certification Requirements

Respiratory Care Professional license — regulated by the Ohio Respiratory Care Board (within the State Medical Board structure).

Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory care program (associate degree minimum).
Pass the NBRC examination (RRT preferred by the major systems).
Apply for the Ohio license; renew with continuing education.

Official requirements: Ohio Respiratory Care Board (within the State Medical Board structure) →

Training in Ohio

Cleveland Clinic and the other large systems hire respiratory therapists continuously, and Ohio's older industrial-region population keeps cardiopulmonary caseloads high.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Ohio include:

ATA College-Cincinnati — Associate
Ashland University — Bachelor's
Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences — Associate
Baldwin Wallace University — Bachelor's

Where Respiratory therapists Work in Ohio

Real Ohio hospitals that employ respiratory therapists include:

Lima State Hosp — Lima
Cleveland Clinic — Cleveland
Summa Health System — Akron
Uh Cleveland Medical Center — Cleveland
Riverside Methodist Hospital — Columbus
Ohio State University Hospitals — Columbus

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 Ohio?

The median wage for respiratory therapists in Ohio is $79,920 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $65,580, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $97,030. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Respiratory Care Professional license, overseen by the Ohio Respiratory Care Board (within the State Medical Board structure). Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory care program (associate degree minimum).

Is being a Respiratory Therapist a good career in Ohio?

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

Which Ohio metros pay respiratory therapists the most?

Among Ohio metro areas, Toledo leads at $82,280, followed by Columbus ($81,860), Cincinnati ($81,600). 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 Ohio?

Real Ohio options include ATA College-Cincinnati, Ashland University, Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Most respiratory therapists start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Respiratory Therapist a growing career in Ohio?

Ohio projects respiratory therapists employment to change +8.9% from 2024 to 2034, with about 380 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), Ohio statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-1126. Licensing summary compiled from the Ohio Respiratory Care Board (within the State Medical Board structure) (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 Ohio wages · Ohio 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.