Respiratory Therapist in Virginia: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Virginia employs 3,340 respiratory therapists, with a statewide median of $82,910 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Virginia licensing picture, and where to train.
What Respiratory therapists Earn in Virginia (May 2025)
- Virginia median pay
- $82,910 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $65,540
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $94,770
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $106,470
- Employed in Virginia
- 3,340
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $80,450 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for respiratory therapists in major Virginia markets:
- Washington DC metro
- $101,990 (1,850 employed)
- Charlottesville
- $86,720 (120 employed)
- Richmond
- $81,750 (630 employed)
- Lynchburg
- $81,470 (120 employed)
- Virginia Beach–Norfolk
- $80,990 (710 employed)
- Roanoke
- $78,820 (190 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Virginia
Prices in Virginia run about 1% above the national average (cost-of-living index 101.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $82,910 median is worth closer to $82,008 once higher local prices are factored in.
Job Outlook in Virginia (2024–2034)
Virginia is projected to grow respiratory therapists employment +11.4%, slower than the +12.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 190 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Virginia License and Certification Requirements
Respiratory Care Practitioner license — regulated by the Virginia Board of Medicine / Virginia Department of Health Professions.
- Earn at least an associate degree from a CoARC-accredited respiratory care program (about 2 years, includes hospital clinical rotations).
- Obtain an NBRC credential — the CRT (Certified Respiratory Therapist) for entry; most Virginia hospital employers prefer the RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist) designation.
- Apply for the Virginia Respiratory Care Practitioner license through the Department of Health Professions with your NBRC credential documentation. Renew biennially with continuing education.
Official requirements: Virginia Board of Medicine / Virginia Department of Health Professions →
Training in Virginia
CoARC-accredited Virginia programs include those at Northern Virginia Community College, Tidewater Community College, and Southwest Virginia Community College. Inova Health (Northern VA), Sentara Healthcare (Hampton Roads), and VCU Health (Richmond) are the largest employers. ICU and neonatal respiratory positions — particularly in the Northern VA academic medical centers — offer the highest pay.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Virginia include:
- American National University — Associate
- Averett University — Bachelor's
- Blue Ridge Community College — Associate
- Bon Secours St Mary's Hospital School of Medical Imaging — Associate
Where Respiratory therapists Work in Virginia
Real Virginia hospitals that employ respiratory therapists include:
- Naval Medical Center Portsmouth Virginia — Portsmouth
- Inova Fairfax Hospital — Falls Church
- Medical College of Virginia Hospitals — Richmond
- Cjw Medical Center — Richmond
- Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital — Roanoke
- Uva Health Sciences Center — Charlottesville
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 Virginia?
The median wage for respiratory therapists in Virginia is $82,910 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $65,540, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $106,470. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Respiratory Therapist in Virginia?
Respiratory Care Practitioner license, overseen by the Virginia Board of Medicine / Virginia Department of Health Professions. Earn at least an associate degree from a CoARC-accredited respiratory care program (about 2 years, includes hospital clinical rotations).
Is being a Respiratory Therapist a good career in Virginia?
Respiratory care involves bedside judgment, equipment, urgent patient needs, and licensed clinical responsibility.
Which Virginia metros pay respiratory therapists the most?
Among Virginia metro areas, Washington DC metro leads at $101,990, followed by Charlottesville ($86,720), Richmond ($81,750). 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 Virginia?
Real Virginia options include American National University, Averett University, Blue Ridge 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 Virginia?
Virginia projects respiratory therapists employment to change +11.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 190 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), Virginia statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-1126. Licensing summary compiled from the Virginia Board of Medicine / Virginia Department of Health Professions (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 Virginia wages · Virginia 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.