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

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Washington employs 1,860 respiratory therapists, with a statewide median of $101,130 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Washington licensing picture, and where to train.

What Respiratory therapists Earn in Washington (May 2025)

Washington median pay: $101,130 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $76,080
Experienced (75th percentile): $106,150
Top earners (90th percentile): $127,520
Employed in Washington: 1,860
U.S. median (for comparison): $80,450 (May 2024)

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

Seattle–Tacoma: $104,220 (1,130 employed)
Tri-Cities: $98,320 (60 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Washington

Prices in Washington run about 7% above the national average (cost-of-living index 107.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $101,130 median is worth closer to $94,514 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Washington (2024–2034)

Washington is projected to grow respiratory therapists employment +19.8%, faster than the +12.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 200 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Washington License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) — regulated by the Washington State Department of Health.

Graduate from a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program (associate or bachelor's degree, typically 2 years) covering airway management, mechanical ventilation, and cardiopulmonary diagnostics.
Pass the NBRC (National Board for Respiratory Care) Therapist Multiple Choice (TMC) exam and, for full CRT/RRT credentials, the Clinical Simulation Exam.
Apply to the WA Department of Health for your RCP license. Renew every two years with continuing education.

Official requirements: Washington State Department of Health →

Training in Washington

Highline College and Spokane Community College run CoARC-accredited programs. UW Medical Center, Harborview, MultiCare, and Providence are major employers. ICU, NICU, and home care respiratory roles are all active in Washington's metro markets.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Washington include:

Bates Technical College — Associate
Bellevue College — Associate / Bachelor's
Bellingham Technical College — Associate
Carrington College-Spokane — Associate

Where Respiratory therapists Work in Washington

Real Washington hospitals that employ respiratory therapists include:

VA Hosp — American Lake
Swedish Medical Center — Seattle
Prov Sacred Hrt Med Ctr & Childs Hosp. — Spokane
Madigan Gen Hosp — Tacoma
VA Puget Sound Health Care System — Seattle
Tacoma General Allenmore Hospital — Tacoma

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 Washington?

The median wage for respiratory therapists in Washington is $101,130 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $76,080, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $127,520. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP), overseen by the Washington State Department of Health. Graduate from a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program (associate or bachelor's degree, typically 2 years) covering airway management, mechanical ventilation, and cardiopulmonary diagnostics.

Is being a Respiratory Therapist a good career in Washington?

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

Which Washington metros pay respiratory therapists the most?

Among Washington metro areas, Seattle–Tacoma leads at $104,220, followed by Tri-Cities ($98,320). 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 Washington?

Real Washington options include Bates Technical College, Bellevue College, Bellingham 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 Washington?

Washington projects respiratory therapists employment to change +19.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 200 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), Washington statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-1126. Licensing summary compiled from the Washington State Department of Health (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 Washington wages · Washington 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.