Respiratory Therapist in Wisconsin
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for WI
How to Become a Respiratory Therapist in Wisconsin
To become a licensed Respiratory Therapist in Wisconsin, you must graduate from a CoARC-accredited respiratory care program and pass both the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) Examination (CRT or RRT) and an open-book Wisconsin Statutes and Administrative Code examination. The licensing body is the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. A temporary certificate is available for those licensed in other states while their permanent application is processed.
Respiratory Therapist Requirements in Wisconsin
| Detail | Wisconsin |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | Associate degree from a CoARC-accredited program |
| Exam | NBRC CRT or RRT exam ($200) |
| Application Fee | $75 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Notes | Applicants must pass an open-book state jurisprudence exam. An oral examination may be required under certain circumstances, such as having a medical condition that impairs practice, substance abuse, prior disciplinary action, criminal convictions related to practice, limited recent practice hours, or adverse formal action during education/training. There is no minimum age specified. |
Source: Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services
Respiratory Therapist Salary in Wisconsin
The median respiratory therapist salary in Wisconsin is $82,160 per year, which is 2.1% above the national median of $80,450.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $67,270 |
| 25th | $75,610 |
| 50th (median) | $82,160 |
| 75th | $89,370 |
| 90th (experienced) | $96,400 |
Wisconsin employs approximately 1,940 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 Wisconsin Worth It?
Factors to consider: Wisconsin's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, strong job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.