Get Started as a Respiratory Therapist in NC
A career as a respiratory therapist in North Carolina 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% betw5
een 2019 to 2029.
To become a respiratory therapist in North Carolina 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 North Carolina
- North Carolina Certification and Licensing Requirements
- How much do Respiratory Therapists make in North Carolina?
- Respiratory Therapist Employment Outlook North Carolina
Respiratory Therapist Schools in NC
| School | Area | Degree | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carteret Community College | Morehead City | AAS Degree | Learn More |
| Catawba Valley Community College | Hickory | AAS Degree | Learn More |
| Central Piedmont Community College | Charlotte | AAS Degree | Learn More |
| Durham Technical Community College | Durham | AS Degree | Learn More |
| Edgecombe Community College | Rocky Mount | AAS Degree | Learn More |
| Fayetteville Technical Community College | Fayetteville | AS Degree | Learn More |
| Forsyth Technical Community College | Winston-Salem | AAS Degree | Learn More |
| Pitt Community College | Winterville | AAS Degree | Learn More |
| Robeson Community College | Lumberton | AAS Degree | * |
| Rockingham Community College | Wentworth | AS Degree | Learn More |
| Sandhills Community College | Pinehurst | AS Degree | Learn More |
| Southwestern Community College | Sylva | AS Degree | Learn More |
| Stanly Community College | Locust | AS Degree | Learn More |
| Wilkes Community College | Wilkesboro | AAS Degree | Learn More |
The Commission on Accreditation of Respiratory Care (CoARC) is the organization in charge of accreditation for respiratory therapist schools.
There are 14 accredited respiratory therapy schools in North Carolina.
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 course curriculum and admissions
North Carolina Respiratory License and Certification Requirements
Respiratory therapist certification is optional in North Carolina. However licensing is an important prerequisite to securing employment as a respiratory therapist in the state.
The North Carolina Respiratory Care Board governs the licensing of respiratory therapists in North Carolina. You can contact the Board directly using the details below:
Phone: 919-878-5595
Website: ncrcb.org
Learn more: Steps to become a respiratory therapist
Respiratory Therapist Salary NC
| Average Salary | $57,700 |
| Hourly Wage | $27.74 |
| Top 10% | $75,120 |
| Bottom 10% | $43,700 |
| Employed | 4240 |
The average respiratory therapist salary in North Carolina is $57,700 – 10% less than the national average.*
*Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) (2019).
This equates to an average hourly wage of $27.74.
Salary levels for respiratory therapists in North Carolina have grown by 8%, or $4,400, between 2015 and 2019.
Salary Range
- The top 10% of earners in the profession in North Carolina had an average salary of $75,120
- The lower 10% and entry level respiratory therapists earned an average salary of $43,700
- Respiratory therapists working in Durham-Chapel Hill earned the highest average salary in the state at $61,440
- Those working in Greenville have the lowest average salary level at $51,680.
| Metro Area | Salary | Top 10% | Bottom 10% | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville | $55,750 | $74,140 | $42,520 | 240 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | $58,710 | $76,190 | $44,560 | 1,170 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | $61,440 | $79,110 | $46,700 | 410 |
| Fayetteville | $56,990 | $74,660 | $44,180 | 130 |
| Greensboro-High Point | $58,690 | $74,830 | $44,450 | 280 |
| Greenville | $51,680 | $67,180 | $40,810 | 140 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton | $54,820 | $71,030 | $42,230 | 130 |
| New Bern | $52,770 | $71,860 | $41,850 | 30 |
| Raleigh | $60,780 | $76,640 | $47,470 | 310 |
| Wilmington | $55,330 | $74,980 | $41,460 | 130 |
| Winston-Salem | $58,210 | $75,000 | $44,320 | 480 |
Respiratory Therapist Employment in North Carolina
There are currently 4240 people employed as respiratory therapists in North Carolina. This number has increased by 9%, or 350 respiratory therapy jobs, between 2015 and 2019.
The highest number of respiratory therapy jobs in North Carolina are in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia.
The table below compares respiratory therapy salary and employment with similar healthcare careers in North Carolina;
| Career | Salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Respiratory Therapist | $57,700 | 4,240 |
| Physical Therapist | $88,020 | 6,310 |
| Occupational Therapist | $82,480 | 3,530 |
| Speech & Language Therapist | $74,910 | 4,450 |
Related Content
We hope this guide helps you get started on your path towards becoming a respiratory therapist in North Carolina. You might also be interested in the following related content:
- Online classes
- Respiratory therapist schools in Georgia