Respiratory Therapist in Pennsylvania: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Pennsylvania employs 6,530 respiratory therapists, with a statewide median of $78,490 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Pennsylvania licensing picture, and where to train.
What Respiratory therapists Earn in Pennsylvania (May 2025)
- Pennsylvania median pay
- $78,490 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $62,440
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $87,620
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $95,520
- Employed in Pennsylvania
- 6,530
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $80,450 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for respiratory therapists in major Pennsylvania markets:
- Philadelphia metro
- $88,790 (2,990 employed)
- Lancaster
- $80,060 (230 employed)
- Lehigh Valley
- $79,960 (490 employed)
- Harrisburg
- $78,750 (410 employed)
- Scranton–Wilkes-Barre
- $78,380 (230 employed)
- Pittsburgh
- $75,470 (1,220 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Pennsylvania
Prices in Pennsylvania run about 2% below the national average (cost-of-living index 97.6 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $78,490 median stretches to roughly $80,420 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Pennsylvania (2024–2034)
Pennsylvania is projected to grow respiratory therapists employment +11.0%, 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.
Pennsylvania License and Certification Requirements
Respiratory Therapist license — regulated by the PA State Board of Medicine.
- Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory care program (associate degree minimum).
- Pass the NBRC examination (CRT minimum; RRT preferred by the major systems).
- Apply through the State Board of Medicine with the standard child-abuse-recognition training PA requires of health licensees.
Official requirements: PA State Board of Medicine →
Training in Pennsylvania
UPMC, Geisinger, Penn Medicine, and Jefferson hire respiratory therapists continuously, and PA's older, rural population keeps cardiopulmonary caseloads high statewide.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Pennsylvania include:
- All-State Career School — Associate
- Alvernia University — Associate / Bachelor's
- Bucks County Community College — Associate
- Butler County Community College — Associate
Where Respiratory therapists Work in Pennsylvania
Real Pennsylvania hospitals that employ respiratory therapists include:
- Upmc Presbyterian Shadyside — Pittsburgh
- Lehigh Valley Hospital — Allentown
- Lebanon VA Medical Center — Lebanon
- Coatesville VA Medical Center — Coatesville
- Thomas Jefferson University Hospital — Philadelphia
- Temple University Hospital — Philadelphia
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 Pennsylvania?
The median wage for respiratory therapists in Pennsylvania is $78,490 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $62,440, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $95,520. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Respiratory Therapist in Pennsylvania?
Respiratory Therapist license, overseen by the PA State Board of Medicine. Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory care program (associate degree minimum).
Is being a Respiratory Therapist a good career in Pennsylvania?
Respiratory care involves bedside judgment, equipment, urgent patient needs, and licensed clinical responsibility.
Which Pennsylvania metros pay respiratory therapists the most?
Among Pennsylvania metro areas, Philadelphia metro leads at $88,790, followed by Lancaster ($80,060), Lehigh Valley ($79,960). 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 Pennsylvania?
Real Pennsylvania options include All-State Career School, Alvernia University, Bucks County 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 Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania projects respiratory therapists employment to change +11.0% 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), Pennsylvania statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-1126. Licensing summary compiled from the PA State Board of Medicine (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 Pennsylvania wages · Pennsylvania 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.