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

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Vermont employs 210 respiratory therapists, with a statewide median of $83,820 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Vermont licensing picture, and where to train.

What Respiratory therapists Earn in Vermont (May 2025)

Vermont median pay: $83,820 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $50,310
Experienced (75th percentile): $98,220
Top earners (90th percentile): $99,940
Employed in Vermont: 210
U.S. median (for comparison): $80,450 (May 2024)

What That Pay Is Worth in Vermont

Prices in Vermont run about 2% below the national average (cost-of-living index 98.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $83,820 median stretches to roughly $85,531 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Vermont (2024–2034)

Vermont is projected to grow respiratory therapists employment +10.3%, slower than the +12.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 10 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Vermont License and Certification Requirements

RRT credential (employer-required); verify Vermont licensure status — regulated by the Vermont — RRT credential is the standard (confirm current state requirement).

Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.
Pass the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) exam to earn the RRT credential.
Confirm Vermont's current licensure/registration requirement with OPR; employers require the RRT regardless.

Official requirements: Vermont — RRT credential is the standard (confirm current state requirement) →

Training in Vermont

Vermont has historically been light on respiratory-care licensure, but employers require the RRT. Confirm the current requirement before applying.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Vermont include:

Champlain College — Associate
Norwich University — Bachelor's
University of Vermont — Bachelor's
Vermont State University — Associate / Bachelor's

Where Respiratory therapists Work in Vermont

Real Vermont hospitals that employ respiratory therapists include:

University of Vermont Medical Center — Burlington
Rutland Regional Medical Center — Rutland
Southwestern Vermont Medical Center — Bennington
Central Vermont Medical Center — Berlin
VA Hosp — White River Junction
Brattleboro Retreat — Brattleboro

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 Vermont?

The median wage for respiratory therapists in Vermont is $83,820 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $50,310, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $99,940. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

RRT credential (employer-required); verify Vermont licensure status, overseen by the Vermont — RRT credential is the standard (confirm current state requirement). Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.

Is being a Respiratory Therapist a good career in Vermont?

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

Where can I train to become a Respiratory Therapist in Vermont?

Real Vermont options include Champlain College, Norwich University, University of Vermont. Most respiratory therapists start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Respiratory Therapist a growing career in Vermont?

Vermont projects respiratory therapists employment to change +10.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 10 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), Vermont statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-1126. Licensing summary compiled from the Vermont — RRT credential is the standard (confirm current state requirement) (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 Vermont wages · Vermont 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.