Louisiana Respiratory Therapist Programs and Schools

Get Started as a Respiratory Therapist in Louisiana

A career as a respiratory therapist in Louisiana offers good income potential and jobs growth. In fact the Bureau of Labor Statistics has predicted that demand for respiratory therapists will increase by 19% between 2019 to 2029.

To become a respiratory therapist in Louisiana it is a requirement that you graduate from an accredited respiratory therapist school. Once you have graduated you will then need to apply for a license before you can begin working. Certification is not a necessity but it does provide additional assurances as to your skills and competencies.

Browse Contents:

• Find a Respiratory Therapist School in Louisiana
• Louisiana Certification and Licensing Requirements
• How much do Respiratory Therapists make in Louisiana?
• Respiratory Therapist Employment Outlook Louisiana

Respiratory Therapist Programs in Louisiana

The Commission on Accreditation of Respiratory Care (CoARC) is the organization in charge of accreditation for respiratory therapist programs and schools.

There are 6 accredited schools offering respiratory therapy programs in Louisiana.

You have the option of completing an associates degree (2 years) or a bachelors degree (4 years) in your path to becoming a respiratory therapist . An associates degree will get you started in your career whilst a bachelors degree will open up more career doors such as supervisory and management roles.

Learn more: Respiratory therapist programs and admissions

Louisiana Respiratory License and Certification Requirements

Respiratory therapist certification is optional in Louisiana. However licensing is an important prerequisite to securing employment as a respiratory therapist in the state.

The Board Of Medical Examiners – Respiratory Care governs the licensing of respiratory therapists in Louisiana. You can contact the Board directly using the details below:

Phone: 504-568-6820
Website: lsbme.la.gov

Learn more: Steps to become a respiratory therapist

Respiratory Therapist Salary in Louisiana

The average respiratory therapist salary in Louisiana is $54,490 – 15% lower than the national average.*

*Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) (2019).

This equates to an average hourly wage of $26.20.

Salary levels for respiratory therapists in Louisiana have increased by 5%, or $2,370, between 2015 and 2019.

Salary Range

• The top 10% of earners in the profession in Louisiana had an average salary of $70,640
• The lower 10% and entry level respiratory therapists earned an average salary of $41,380
• Respiratory therapists working in Hammond earned the highest average salary in the state at $56,660
• Those working in Lake Charles have the lowest average salary level at $51,240.

The table below further breaks down salary across the larger metro areas in the state.

Respiratory Therapist Employment in Louisiana

There are currently 2470 people employed as respiratory therapists in Louisiana. This number has grown by 15%, or 320 respiratory therapy jobs, between 2015 and 2019.

The highest number of respiratory therapy jobs in Louisiana are in New Orleans-Metairie.

The table below compares respiratory therapy salary and employment with similar healthcare careers in Louisiana;

Related Content
We hope this guide helps you get started on your path towards becoming a respiratory therapist in Louisiana. You might also be interested in the following related content:

• Respiratory therapy programs online
• Respiratory therapist schools in Texas