Respiratory Therapist in Wisconsin: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Wisconsin employs 1,940 respiratory therapists, with a statewide median of $84,210 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Wisconsin licensing picture, and where to train.
What Respiratory therapists Earn in Wisconsin (May 2025)
- Wisconsin median pay
- $84,210 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $70,520
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $96,510
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $100,320
- Employed in Wisconsin
- 1,940
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $80,450 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for respiratory therapists in major Wisconsin markets:
- Minneapolis
- $100,920 (820 employed)
- Milwaukee
- $89,040 (630 employed)
- Duluth
- $85,700 (100 employed)
- Appleton
- $84,300 (60 employed)
- Green Bay
- $82,300 (130 employed)
- Madison
- $81,530 (350 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Wisconsin
Prices in Wisconsin run about 6% below the national average (cost-of-living index 94.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $84,210 median stretches to roughly $89,490 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Wisconsin (2024–2034)
Wisconsin is projected to grow respiratory therapists employment +14.0%, faster than the +12.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 130 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Wisconsin License and Certification Requirements
Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner — regulated by the Wisconsin Respiratory Care Practitioners Examining Council (DSPS).
- Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.
- Pass the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) exam.
- Apply for licensure through DSPS; renew with continuing education.
Official requirements: Wisconsin Respiratory Care Practitioners Examining Council (DSPS) →
Training in Wisconsin
Employers expect the RRT credential. Steady hospital demand; CoARC technical-college programs keep tuition reasonable.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Wisconsin include:
- Bellin College — Bachelor's
- Blackhawk Technical College — Associate
- Carroll University — Bachelor's
- Carthage College — Bachelor's
Where Respiratory therapists Work in Wisconsin
Real Wisconsin hospitals that employ respiratory therapists include:
- Aurora St Lukes Medical Center — Milwaukee
- Tomah VA Medical Center — Tomah
- Clement J Zablocki Veterans Affairs — Milwaukee
- Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital — Milwaukee
- Ascension All Saints Hospital — Racine
- Ascension Se Wisconsin Hospital - St Joseph Campus — Milwaukee
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 Wisconsin?
The median wage for respiratory therapists in Wisconsin is $84,210 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $70,520, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $100,320. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Respiratory Therapist in Wisconsin?
Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner, overseen by the Wisconsin Respiratory Care Practitioners Examining Council (DSPS). Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.
Is being a Respiratory Therapist a good career in Wisconsin?
Respiratory care involves bedside judgment, equipment, urgent patient needs, and licensed clinical responsibility.
Which Wisconsin metros pay respiratory therapists the most?
Among Wisconsin metro areas, Minneapolis leads at $100,920, followed by Milwaukee ($89,040), Duluth ($85,700). 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 Wisconsin?
Real Wisconsin options include Bellin College, Blackhawk Technical College, Carroll University. Most respiratory therapists start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Respiratory Therapist a growing career in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin projects respiratory therapists employment to change +14.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 130 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), Wisconsin statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-1126. Licensing summary compiled from the Wisconsin Respiratory Care Practitioners Examining Council (DSPS) (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 Wisconsin wages · Wisconsin 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.