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

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Oklahoma employs 2,000 respiratory therapists, with a statewide median of $78,800 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Oklahoma licensing picture, and where to train.

What Respiratory therapists Earn in Oklahoma (May 2025)

Oklahoma median pay: $78,800 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $64,380
Experienced (75th percentile): $83,610
Top earners (90th percentile): $95,350
Employed in Oklahoma: 2,000
U.S. median (for comparison): $80,450 (May 2024)

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

Oklahoma City: $80,810 (950 employed)
Tulsa: $80,250 (540 employed)
Fort Smith: $78,080 (100 employed)
Enid: $77,230 (40 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Oklahoma

Prices in Oklahoma run about 12% below the national average (cost-of-living index 87.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $78,800 median stretches to roughly $89,749 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Oklahoma (2022–2032)

Oklahoma is projected to grow respiratory therapists employment +11.6%, about in line with the +12.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 150 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Oklahoma License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner — regulated by the Oklahoma State Board of Medical Licensure & Supervision (Respiratory Care).

Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.
Pass the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) exam.
Apply for licensure through the Oklahoma State Board of Medical Licensure & Supervision; renew with continuing education.

Official requirements: Oklahoma State Board of Medical Licensure & Supervision (Respiratory Care) →

Training in Oklahoma

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

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Oklahoma include:

ATA College — Associate
Cameron University — Associate
Central Oklahoma College — Associate
Community Care College — Associate

Where Respiratory therapists Work in Oklahoma

Real Oklahoma hospitals that employ respiratory therapists include:

Eastern State Hosp — Vinita
Saint Francis Hospital, Inc — Tulsa
Ou Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center — Oklahoma City
Integris Baptist Medical Center, Inc — Oklahoma City
Ascension St John Medical Center — Tulsa
Ssm Health St Anthony Hospital - Oklahoma City — Oklahoma City

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 Oklahoma?

The median wage for respiratory therapists in Oklahoma is $78,800 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $64,380, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $95,350. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner, overseen by the Oklahoma State Board of Medical Licensure & Supervision (Respiratory Care). Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.

Is being a Respiratory Therapist a good career in Oklahoma?

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

Which Oklahoma metros pay respiratory therapists the most?

Among Oklahoma metro areas, Oklahoma City leads at $80,810, followed by Tulsa ($80,250), Fort Smith ($78,080). 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 Oklahoma?

Real Oklahoma options include ATA College, Cameron University, Central Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma?

Oklahoma projects respiratory therapists employment to change +11.6% from 2022 to 2032, with about 150 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), Oklahoma statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-1126. Licensing summary compiled from the Oklahoma State Board of Medical Licensure & Supervision (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 Oklahoma wages · Oklahoma 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.