Get Started as a Respiratory Therapist in Pennsylvania
A career as a respiratory therapist in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania Certification and Licensing Requirements
- How much do Respiratory Therapists make in Pennsylvania?
- Respiratory Therapist Employment Outlook Pennsylvania
Respiratory Therapist Schools in Pennsylvania
| School | Area | Degree | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clarion University | Oil City | AS Degree | * |
| Community College of Allegheny County | Pittsburg | AS Degree | Learn More |
| Community College of Philadelphia | Philadelphia | AS Degree | Learn More |
| Delaware County Community College / Crozer-Chester Med Ctr | Upland | AS Degree | Learn More |
| Gwynedd Mercy University | Gwynedd Valley | AS Degree | Learn More |
| Harrisburg Area Community College | Harrisburg | AS Degree | Learn More |
| Laurel Business Institute | Uniontown | AS Degree | Learn More |
| Laurel Technical Institute | Sharon | AST Degree | Learn More |
| Luzerne County Community College | Nanticoke | AAS Degree | * |
| Mercyhurst University North East | Erie | AS Degree | Learn More |
| Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences | Lancaster | AAS Degree | Learn More |
| Pittsburgh Career Institute | Pittsburg | AST Degree | Learn More |
| Reading Area Community College | Reading | AS Degree | Learn More |
| University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown | Johnstown | AS Degree | Learn More |
| YTI Career Institute - Altoona | Altoona | AST Degree | Learn More |
The Commission on Accreditation of Respiratory Care (CoARC) is the organization in charge of accreditation for respiratory therapist schools.
There are 15 accredited respiratory therapy schools in Pennsylvania.
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
Pennsylvania Respiratory License and Certification Requirements
Respiratory therapist certification is optional in Pennsylvania. However licensing is an important prerequisite to securing employment as a respiratory therapist in the state.
The State Board Of Medicine governs the licensing of respiratory therapists in Pennsylvania. You can contact the Board directly using the details below:
Phone: 717-783-1400
Website: dos.state.pa.us
Learn more: Steps to become a respiratory therapist
Respiratory Therapist Salary in Pennsylvania
| Average Salary | $57,600 |
| Hourly Wage | $27.69 |
| Bottom 10% | $42,960 |
| Top 10% | $76,040 |
| Employed | 5930 |
The average respiratory therapist salary in Pennsylvania is $57,600 – 10% less than the national average.*
*Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) (2019).
This equates to an average hourly wage of $27.69.
Salary levels for respiratory therapists in Pennsylvania have decreased slightly by -1%, or -$390, between 2015 and 2019.
Salary Range
- The top 10% of earners in the profession in Pennsylvania had an average salary of $76,040
- The lower 10% and entry level respiratory therapists earned an average salary of $42,960
- Respiratory therapists working in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington earned the highest average salary in the state at $62,720
- Those working in Scranton–Wilkes-Barre–Hazleton have the lowest average salary level at $52,500.
The table below breaks down salaries across the main metro areas in the state.
| Metro Area | Salary | Bottom 10% | Top 10% | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | $58,570 | $42,670 | $77,790 | 470 |
| Altoona | $59,180 | $44,150 | $75,620 | 50 |
| Bloomsburg-Berwick | $56,630 | $42,350 | $76,130 | - |
| Erie | $55,280 | $41,450 | $69,420 | 190 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | $59,300 | $45,190 | $76,550 | - |
| Johnstown | $55,340 | $43,610 | $69,420 | 50 |
| Lancaster | $57,380 | $42,750 | $75,920 | 110 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | $62,720 | $44,990 | $81,670 | 3,060 |
| Pittsburgh | $55,550 | $42,270 | $73,330 | 1,370 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton | $52,500 | $41,720 | $64,230 | 220 |
| State College | $58,860 | $43,360 | $76,670 | - |
| York-Hanover | $62,300 | $53,060 | $77,260 | 170 |
Respiratory Therapist Employment in Pennsylvania
There are currently 5930 people employed as respiratory therapists in Pennsylvania. This number has increased by 14%, or 730 respiratory therapy jobs, between 2015 and 2019.
The highest number of respiratory therapy jobs in Pennsylvania are in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington.
The table below compares respiratory therapy salary and employment with similar healthcare careers in Pennsylvania;
| Career | Salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Respiratory Therapist | $57,600 | 5,930 |
| Physical Therapist | $88,450 | 11,800 |
| Occupational Therapist | $83,120 | 7,680 |
| Speech & Language Therapist | $80,840 | 5,700 |
Related Content
We hope this guide helps you get started on your path towards becoming a respiratory therapist in Pennsylvania. You might also be interested in the following related content:
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