Respiratory Therapist in West Virginia: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
West Virginia employs 1,140 respiratory therapists, with a statewide median of $68,670 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact West Virginia licensing picture, and where to train.
What Respiratory therapists Earn in West Virginia (May 2025)
- West Virginia median pay
- $68,670 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $52,940
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $77,350
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $94,280
- Employed in West Virginia
- 1,140
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $80,450 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for respiratory therapists in major West Virginia markets:
- Washington
- $101,990 (1,850 employed)
- Hagerstown
- $74,300 (70 employed)
- Charleston
- $68,670 (220 employed)
- Huntington
- $66,040 (270 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in West Virginia
Prices in West Virginia run about 10% below the national average (cost-of-living index 89.5 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $68,670 median stretches to roughly $76,726 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in West Virginia (2024–2034)
West Virginia is projected to grow respiratory therapists employment +26.7%, 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.
West Virginia License and Certification Requirements
Licensed Respiratory Therapist — regulated by the West Virginia Board of Respiratory Care.
- Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.
- Pass the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) exam.
- Apply for licensure through the West Virginia Board of Respiratory Care; renew with continuing education.
Official requirements: West Virginia Board of Respiratory Care →
Training in West Virginia
Employers expect the RRT credential. Steady hospital demand; CoARC community-college programs keep tuition reasonable.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in West Virginia include:
- Blue Ridge Community and Technical College — Associate
- Bluefield State University — Associate / Bachelor's
- BridgeValley Community & Technical College — Associate
- Carver Career Center — Associate
Where Respiratory therapists Work in West Virginia
Real West Virginia hospitals that employ respiratory therapists include:
- Charleston Area Medical Center — Charleston
- Martinsburg VA Medical Center — Martinsburg
- West Virginia University Hospitals, Inc — Morgantown
- St Mary's Medical Center — Huntington
- United Hospital Center, Inc — Bridgeport
- Camden Clark Medical Center — Parkersburg
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 West Virginia?
The median wage for respiratory therapists in West Virginia is $68,670 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $52,940, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $94,280. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Respiratory Therapist in West Virginia?
Licensed Respiratory Therapist, overseen by the West Virginia Board of Respiratory Care. Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.
Is being a Respiratory Therapist a good career in West Virginia?
Respiratory care involves bedside judgment, equipment, urgent patient needs, and licensed clinical responsibility.
Which West Virginia metros pay respiratory therapists the most?
Among West Virginia metro areas, Washington leads at $101,990, followed by Hagerstown ($74,300), Charleston ($68,670). 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 West Virginia?
Real West Virginia options include Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, Bluefield State University, BridgeValley Community & 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 West Virginia?
West Virginia projects respiratory therapists employment to change +26.7% 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), West Virginia statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-1126. Licensing summary compiled from the West Virginia Board of Respiratory Care (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 West Virginia wages · West 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.