SC Respiratory Therapy Schools and Salary

Become a Respiratory Therapist SC

A career as a respiratory therapist in South 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 South 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 South Carolina
• South Carolina Certification and Licensing Requirements
• How much do Respiratory Therapists make in South Carolina?
• Respiratory Therapist Employment Outlook South Carolina

Respiratory Therapist Schools in South Carolina

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

There are 7 accredited respiratory therapy schools in South 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

South Carolina Respiratory License and Certification Requirements

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

The SC Board Of Medical Examiners governs the licensing of respiratory therapists in South Carolina. You can contact the Board directly using the details below:

Phone: 803-896-4500
Website: llr.state.sc.us

Learn more: Steps to become a respiratory therapist

Respiratory Therapist Salary in South Carolina

The average respiratory therapist salary in South Carolina is $56,740 – 11% lower than the national average.*

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

This equates to an average hourly wage of $27.28.

Salary levels for respiratory therapists in South Carolina have grown by 7%, or $3,820, between 2015 and 2019.

Salary Range

• The top 10% of earners in the profession in South Carolina had an average salary of $74,400
• The lower 10% and entry level respiratory therapists earned an average salary of $43,300
• Respiratory therapists working in Charleston-North Charleston earned the highest average salary in the state at $62,680
• Those working in Columbia have the lowest average salary level at $54,390.

The table below breaks down salaries across the main metro areas in the state.

Respiratory Therapist Employment in South Carolina

There are currently 1980 people employed as respiratory therapists in South Carolina. This number has grown by 8%, or 150 respiratory therapy jobs, between 2015 and 2019.

The highest number of respiratory therapy jobs in South Carolina are in Charleston-North Charleston.

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

Related Content
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• Online classes