Back to the national Respiratory Therapist profile

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

Allied healthcare

South Carolina employs 1,960 respiratory therapists, with a statewide median of $77,740 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact South Carolina licensing picture, and where to train.

What Respiratory therapists Earn in South Carolina (May 2025)

South Carolina median pay: $77,740 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $63,700
Experienced (75th percentile): $82,400
Top earners (90th percentile): $90,670
Employed in South Carolina: 1,960
U.S. median (for comparison): $80,450 (May 2024)

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

Charlotte: $82,020 (1,110 employed)
Columbia: $79,780 (330 employed)
Charleston: $79,410 (390 employed)
Augusta: $78,560 (350 employed)
Greenville: $78,390 (400 employed)
Spartanburg: $67,700 (220 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in South Carolina

Prices in South Carolina run about 6% below the national average (cost-of-living index 93.7 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $77,740 median stretches to roughly $82,967 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in South Carolina (2024–2034)

South Carolina is projected to grow respiratory therapists employment +14.6%, faster than the +12.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 130 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

South Carolina License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) — regulated by the SC LLR — Board of Medical Examiners (Respiratory Care).

Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.
Pass the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) exam.
Apply for the SC respiratory care license through LLR; renew with continuing education.

Official requirements: SC LLR — Board of Medical Examiners (Respiratory Care) →

Training in South Carolina

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

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in South Carolina include:

Aiken Technical College — Associate
Anderson University — Bachelor's
Central Carolina Technical College — Associate
Charleston Southern University — Bachelor's

Where Respiratory therapists Work in South Carolina

Real South Carolina hospitals that employ respiratory therapists include:

Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital — Greenville
Spartanburg Medical Center — Spartanburg
Musc Medical Center — Charleston
Prisma Health Richland Hospital — Columbia
US Naval Hosp — Charleston
G Werber Bryan Psych Hosp — Columbia

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 South Carolina?

The median wage for respiratory therapists in South Carolina is $77,740 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $63,700, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $90,670. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP), overseen by the SC LLR — Board of Medical Examiners (Respiratory Care). Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.

Is being a Respiratory Therapist a good career in South Carolina?

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

Which South Carolina metros pay respiratory therapists the most?

Among South Carolina metro areas, Charlotte leads at $82,020, followed by Columbia ($79,780), Charleston ($79,410). 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 South Carolina?

Real South Carolina options include Aiken Technical College, Anderson University, Central Carolina Technical 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 South Carolina?

South Carolina projects respiratory therapists employment to change +14.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 130 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), South Carolina statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-1126. Licensing summary compiled from the SC LLR — Board of Medical Examiners (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 South Carolina wages · South 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.