Respiratory Therapist in Texas: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Texas employs 12,130 respiratory therapists, with a statewide median of $79,540 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Texas licensing picture, and where to train.
What Respiratory therapists Earn in Texas (May 2025)
- Texas median pay
- $79,540 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $61,310
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $93,680
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $99,690
- Employed in Texas
- 12,130
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $80,450 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for respiratory therapists in major Texas markets:
- Dallas–Fort Worth
- $84,080 (3,010 employed)
- Austin
- $82,760 (770 employed)
- Houston
- $80,450 (3,630 employed)
- San Antonio
- $77,900 (950 employed)
- El Paso
- $75,490 (310 employed)
- McAllen
- $65,390 (250 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Texas
Prices in Texas run about 3% below the national average (cost-of-living index 97.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $79,540 median stretches to roughly $81,916 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Texas (2024–2034)
Texas is projected to grow respiratory therapists employment +23.9%, faster than the +12.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 930 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Texas License and Certification Requirements
Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license — regulated by the Texas Medical Board — Respiratory Care Practitioners.
- Earn at least an associate degree from a CoARC-accredited respiratory care program (about 2 years).
- Pass the NBRC Therapist Multiple-Choice exam for the CRT credential (most employers prefer you continue to the RRT).
- Apply to the Texas Medical Board for the RCP license; maintain your NBRC credential and complete 24 CE hours every 24 months.
Official requirements: Texas Medical Board — Respiratory Care Practitioners →
Training in Texas
CoARC-accredited Texas programs include Houston Community College, Dallas College, Austin Community College, and UT Health San Antonio. Hospital demand is steady statewide, with large systems (HCA, Baylor Scott & White, Methodist, Memorial Hermann) hiring continuously.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Texas include:
- Alvin Community College — Associate
- Amarillo College — Associate
- Angelina College — Associate
- Austin Community College District — Associate
Where Respiratory therapists Work in Texas
Real Texas hospitals that employ respiratory therapists include:
- Methodist Hospital — San Antonio
- VA Hosp — Waco
- Memorial Hermann Hospital System — Houston
- Houston Methodist Hospital — Houston
- Baptist Medical Center — San Antonio
- VA Hosp — Houston
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 Texas?
The median wage for respiratory therapists in Texas is $79,540 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $61,310, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $99,690. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Respiratory Therapist in Texas?
Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) license, overseen by the Texas Medical Board — Respiratory Care Practitioners. Earn at least an associate degree from a CoARC-accredited respiratory care program (about 2 years).
Is being a Respiratory Therapist a good career in Texas?
Respiratory care involves bedside judgment, equipment, urgent patient needs, and licensed clinical responsibility.
Which Texas metros pay respiratory therapists the most?
Among Texas metro areas, Dallas–Fort Worth leads at $84,080, followed by Austin ($82,760), Houston ($80,450). 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 Texas?
Real Texas options include Alvin Community College, Amarillo College, Angelina 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 Texas?
Texas projects respiratory therapists employment to change +23.9% from 2024 to 2034, with about 930 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), Texas statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-1126. Licensing summary compiled from the Texas Medical Board — Respiratory Care Practitioners (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 Texas wages · Texas 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.