Back to the national Respiratory Therapist profile

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

Allied healthcare

Utah employs 1,170 respiratory therapists, with a statewide median of $80,650 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Utah licensing picture, and where to train.

What Respiratory therapists Earn in Utah (May 2025)

Utah median pay: $80,650 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $61,860
Experienced (75th percentile): $85,790
Top earners (90th percentile): $101,340
Employed in Utah: 1,170
U.S. median (for comparison): $80,450 (May 2024)

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

Ogden: $82,380 (190 employed)
Salt Lake City: $78,980 (640 employed)
Provo: $78,750 (170 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Utah

Prices in Utah run about 1% below the national average (cost-of-living index 98.9 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $80,650 median stretches to roughly $81,547 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Utah (2024–2034)

Utah is projected to grow respiratory therapists employment +34.4%, faster than the +12.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 100 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Utah License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner — regulated by the Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL).

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

Official requirements: Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) →

Training in Utah

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

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Utah include:

Brigham Young University — Bachelor's
Salt Lake Community College — Associate
Snow College — Associate
Southern Utah University — Bachelor's

Where Respiratory therapists Work in Utah

Real Utah hospitals that employ respiratory therapists include:

University of Utah Hospital and Clinics — Salt Lake City
V a Hospital — Salt Lake City
Intermountain Medical Center — Murray
Intermountain Health Utah Valley Hospital — Provo
Utah State Hospital — Provo
Intermountain Health McKay-Dee Hospital — Ogden

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 Utah?

The median wage for respiratory therapists in Utah is $80,650 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $61,860, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $101,340. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner, overseen by the Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL). Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.

Is being a Respiratory Therapist a good career in Utah?

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

Which Utah metros pay respiratory therapists the most?

Among Utah metro areas, Ogden leads at $82,380, followed by Salt Lake City ($78,980), Provo ($78,750). 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 Utah?

Real Utah options include Brigham Young University, Salt Lake Community College, Snow 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 Utah?

Utah projects respiratory therapists employment to change +34.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 100 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), Utah statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-1126. Licensing summary compiled from the Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) (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 Utah wages · Utah 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.