Alaska is the only US state that does not require RTs to be licensed. However, it is necessary to successfully complete a respiratory therapy program at an accredited college/university. There are several online schools with accredited RT programs as well as on-campus institutions in both Anchorage and Wasilla.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) there were 190 licensed RTs in Alaska in 2013. RT salaries in Alaska are higher than the national average:
- National median annual RT salary – $55,870
- Alaska median annual RT salary – $68,330
- National median hourly RT wage – $26.06/hour
- Alaska median hourly wage – $37.19/hour
A more detailed look at statewide salaries and those in Alaska’s largest city follows:
Salaries in Alaska vary considerably by location. Salaries in different Alaskan cities according to credential level are:
Although only an A.A. degree is required to begin working in this profession, RTs who earn a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in respiratory therapy have a distinct advantage for receiving raises and promotions over those with less education.
The table below provides 2013 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) salary information for respiratory therapists in Alaska.