Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Iowa

Respiratory Therapist jobs in Iowa are concentrated in hospital systems, long-term care facilities, and outpatient pulmonary clinics, with demand running from new graduates to experienced critical care specialists. The most active hiring is in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City, where large systems like UnityPoint Health, MercyOne, and University of Iowa Health Care maintain consistent openings. Neonatal and pediatric respiratory care, cardiopulmonary diagnostics, and sleep medicine are among the most in-demand specialties across the state. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.

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Overview

Open roles69
Top employerMercyOne
Top cityDavenport, IA
Cities hiring29
Work type100% On-site
Top industryEducation

Showing 5 of 69+ Respiratory Therapist jobs

Travel Respiratory Therapist - Registered RT/RRT
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Added 3d ago
Travel Respiratory Therapist - Registered RT/RRT
American Traveler
Ottumwa, Iowa
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
NRP Certification
501-1,000

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Travel Respiratory Therapist
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Added 4d ago
Travel Respiratory Therapist
American Traveler
Mason City, Iowa
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Public Health
BLS Certification
501-1,000

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Travel Respiratory Therapist
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Added 4d ago
Travel Respiratory Therapist
Voyage Health
Mason City, Iowa
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Public Health
$1,765 - $1,858/yr

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Respiratory Therapist
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Added 1w ago
Respiratory Therapist
Franklin General Hospital
Hampton, Iowa
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Public Health
51-200

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Respiratory Therapist - Home Health
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Added 1w ago
Respiratory Therapist - Home Health
UnityPoint Health
Fort Dodge, Iowa
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Associate's degree in respiratory therapy
10,000+

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See All 69 Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Iowa

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Respiratory Therapist Jobs by City in Iowa

Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Davenport
8 jobs
Mason City
7 jobs
Iowa City
6 jobs
Clinton
5 jobs
Cedar Rapids
5 jobs
Des Moines
4 jobs
Council Bluffs
4 jobs
Ottumwa
3 jobs
Waterloo
3 jobs

Respiratory Therapist Job Market in Iowa

A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • MercyOne14
  • UnityPoint Health10
  • FirstChoice6
  • American Traveler6
  • The University of Iowa6

Top Industries Hiring

  • Education
  • Healthcare & Medical Services

What Iowa Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in respiratory therapist jobs across Iowa.

  • Active Iowa respiratory care license issued by the Iowa Board of Respiratory Care
  • Registered Respiratory Therapist credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care
  • Associate or bachelor's degree in respiratory therapy from an accredited program
  • Current BLS certification and ACLS certification for critical care or ICU settings
  • Experience with mechanical ventilation, arterial blood gas interpretation, and airway management
  • Ability to work rotating shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays in acute care settings

Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a respiratory therapist in Iowa?

You become a respiratory therapist in Iowa by completing an accredited respiratory therapy program, earning at least an associate degree, and obtaining a license from the Iowa Board of Respiratory Care. Licensure requires passing the National Board for Respiratory Care examinations to earn the Registered Respiratory Therapist credential. Iowa does not grant temporary permits, so your license must be active before you begin practicing in the state.

How much do respiratory therapists make in Iowa?

Respiratory therapists in Iowa earn a median of about $74,760 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $62,860 for the lowest 10% to over $86,510 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire respiratory therapists in Iowa?

Iowa respiratory therapist roles are posted by MercyOne, UnityPoint Health, and FirstChoice and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Iowa's largest health systems, including regional hospital networks and academic medical centers, drive the majority of consistent openings across the state.

Which Iowa cities have the most respiratory therapist jobs?

Davenport, Mason City, and Iowa City have the most respiratory therapist openings in Iowa. Des Moines anchors demand as the state's largest metro, home to major health systems and a growing network of specialty clinics, while Iowa City's concentration of University of Iowa Health Care facilities sustains steady academic and acute care hiring, and Cedar Rapids supports a strong regional hospital market.

Are there remote respiratory therapist jobs in Iowa?

Yes, but they're rare. Respiratory therapy is a hands-on clinical role that requires direct patient contact, so most positions are on-site in hospitals, clinics, or care facilities. About 0% of respiratory therapist openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, and those roles typically involve telehealth triage, respiratory care education, or clinical documentation and case management rather than direct bedside work.

How can I get hired as a respiratory therapist in Iowa with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is applying directly to new-graduate programs at Iowa's larger health systems, where UnityPoint Health and University of Iowa Health Care have historically offered structured orientation tracks for new respiratory therapy graduates. Candidates who hold the Registered Respiratory Therapist credential and a current Iowa license stand out even without clinical experience. Lateral moves from certified nursing assistant or pulmonary function technician roles can also provide a competitive foothold in the field.

Where can I find and apply to respiratory therapist jobs in Iowa?

You can find and apply to respiratory therapist jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings. Search the available roles, identify the ones that match your credentials and preferred location, and apply directly to whichever positions fit your background and goals.

See All 69 Respiratory Therapist Jobs in Iowa

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