Respiratory Therapist in Hawaii
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for HI
How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Hawaii
To become a licensed Respiratory Therapist in Hawaii, individuals must first complete an Associate's degree from a CoARC-accredited program. Subsequently, applicants need to pass either the NBRC CRT or RRT examination. The licensing body is the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs - Professional & Vocational Licensing, and applicants must be at least 18 years old and authorized to work in the U.S. Hawaii offers reciprocity for licensees from other states if their initial licensing requirements were equivalent or higher than Hawaii's.
Respiratory Therapist Requirements in Hawaii
| Detail | Hawaii |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs - Professional & Vocational Licensing |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | Associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program |
| Exam | NBRC CRT or RRT exam ($200) |
| Application Fee | $60 |
| Renewal | Every 3.0 years |
| Notes | Minimum age is 18. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or an alien authorized to work in the U.S. While Hawaii does not have a state CE requirement, active NBRC certification is required for renewal, which has its own CE requirements. |
Source: Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs - Professional & Vocational Licensing
Respiratory Therapist Salary in Hawaii
The median respiratory therapist salary in Hawaii is $94,670 per year, which is 17.7% above the national median of $80,450.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $85,700 |
| 25th | $86,590 |
| 50th (median) | $94,670 |
| 75th | $98,680 |
| 90th (experienced) | $101,000 |
Hawaii employs approximately 310 respiratory therapists.
Respiratory Therapist Job Outlook
AI Impact on Respiratory Therapists
Low AI Exposure (Score: -0.19/1.00)
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
Is Becoming a Respiratory Therapist in Hawaii Worth It?
Factors to consider: Hawaii's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, strong job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.