Clinical support & respiratory care
Respiratory therapist
Assess breathing needs and operate respiratory care equipment as part of a patient’s treatment team.
BLS · May 2025
EDUCATION & ENTRY
Respiratory care program + license
Associate and bachelor’s entry routes combine science, clinical learning and respiratory care skills. Confirm prerequisites, credentialing exams and Oregon licensing. Online degree-completion programs may require prior training.
The state’s typical entry education classification is “Associate's degree.” This describes the occupation broadly; employers, programs and licensing bodies set specific requirements.
CONNECT THE CAREER TO A PLACE TO LEARN
Oregon training options
These are related routes to investigate. Confirm the full preparation, current admissions and eligibility for your intended role with the provider.
Oregon Tech
Respiratory Care
A campus bachelor’s route into respiratory care.
Ask: What comes before clinical admission, and where could rotations occur? Online degree completion has separate eligibility.
Program page reviewed September 15, 2026
Concorde Career College
Respiratory Therapy
An associate route with respiratory care labs and clinical experience.
Ask: How do the actual weekly schedule, clinical placements, exam eligibility and total costs fit my plan?
Program page reviewed September 15, 2026
Mt. Hood Community College
Respiratory Care
Study cardiopulmonary care, patient assessment and critical-care support. The program is limited-entry and includes clinical experience and professional examination preparation.
Ask: Which preparation, timetable and complete budget apply to my Respiratory Care plan?
Program page reviewed September 15, 2026
Take this question to a counselor.
Am I comfortable with technical equipment and patients who may be seriously ill?
Before choosing a program, ask for prerequisites, the complete timeline, class and placement schedules, and a full cost estimate including supplies, exams, travel and living expenses.
Build a working cost estimate →Understand the numbers.
The median is the midpoint of estimated wages for Oregon workers in this occupation. The hourly median is $48.34. These figures describe workers across experience levels; they are not starting pay or the earnings of graduates from the programs below.
Oregon projects employment moving from 1,747 jobs in 2024 to 2,035 in 2034. The projected 1,200 openings over the decade include growth and replacement needs as workers leave an occupation. Dividing that total by ten gives the rounded annual average shown above. These are projections, not today’s vacancies.
How to read wage information →