Respiratory therapist salary
BLS occupation: Respiratory Therapists · Healthcare practitioners · data for May 2025
Median salary $82,280 a year, US
Median hourly pay $39.56 an hour
Middle half earn $74,520–$98,730 25th to 75th percentile
Respiratory therapists employed 139,790 +8.5% projected by 2035
How much does a respiratory therapist make?
- The median respiratory therapist salary in the US is $82,280 a year ($39.56 an hour): half of the 139,790 respiratory therapists BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $87,300.
- The middle half earn between $74,520 and $98,730. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $63,660 and the top 10% more than $118,050.
- That is 61% more than the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- The District of Columbia pays respiratory therapists the most (median $111,950), followed by New York ($107,810) and California ($104,820). Mississippi pays the least ($63,270).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in the District of Columbia, where the median is worth $101,864 in typical US prices, then Minnesota and New York.
- In 246 of the 272 metro areas with data, the median respiratory therapist salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of respiratory therapists to grow 8.5% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 8,600 openings a year. The typical entry education is an associate's degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what respiratory therapists are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Respiratory therapist salary range
Half of respiratory therapists earn between $74,520 and $98,730 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $63,660
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $74,520
Median Yearly pay: $82,280
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $98,730
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $118,050
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $63,660 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $74,520 |
| Median | $82,280 |
| Top 25% earn over | $98,730 |
| Top 10% earn over | $118,050 |
Respiratory therapist salary by state
The District of Columbia pays respiratory therapists the most; Mississippi the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($82,280), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $111,950 median |
| New York | $107,810 median |
| California | $104,820 median |
| Massachusetts | $102,170 median |
| Washington | $101,130 median |
| New Jersey | $100,810 median |
| Oregon | $100,560 median |
| Minnesota | $98,710 median |
| Alaska | $97,950 median |
| New Hampshire | $95,940 median |
| Hawaii | $94,210 median |
| Delaware | $91,080 median |
| Maryland | $88,960 median |
| Rhode Island | $86,900 median |
| Colorado | $86,220 median |
| Nevada | $85,480 median |
| Connecticut | $85,230 median |
| Wisconsin | $84,210 median |
| Illinois | $84,090 median |
| Vermont | $83,820 median |
| Georgia | $83,700 median |
| Virginia | $82,910 median |
| Maine | $82,470 median |
| Nebraska | $81,590 median |
| North Dakota | $81,230 median |
| Montana | $81,190 median |
| Florida | $81,160 median |
| Utah | $80,650 median |
| North Carolina | $80,090 median |
| Ohio | $79,920 median |
| Michigan | $79,850 median |
| Arizona | $79,780 median |
| Indiana | $79,730 median |
| Texas | $79,540 median |
| Wyoming | $79,330 median |
| Oklahoma | $78,800 median |
| Pennsylvania | $78,490 median |
| Idaho | $78,460 median |
| Missouri | $78,390 median |
| South Carolina | $77,740 median |
| Kansas | $76,970 median |
| Louisiana | $75,240 median |
| Iowa | $74,760 median |
| Arkansas | $73,870 median |
| Kentucky | $72,750 median |
| Tennessee | $72,140 median |
| New Mexico | $68,870 median |
| West Virginia | $68,670 median |
| South Dakota | $68,240 median |
| Alabama | $66,150 median |
| Mississippi | $63,270 median |
Where respiratory therapist pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Respiratory therapists' pay goes furthest in the District of Columbia once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $101,864 |
| Minnesota | $100,090 |
| New York | $99,897 |
| Oregon | $97,290 |
| Massachusetts | $96,608 |
| Alaska | $95,693 |
| California | $94,671 |
| Washington | $94,503 |
| New Jersey | $92,652 |
| New Hampshire | $92,104 |
Respiratory therapist pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $111,950 | $53.82 | $77,240 | $127,400 | 430 | $101,864 |
| New York | $107,810 | $51.83 | $81,270 | $131,500 | 7,010 | $99,897 |
| California | $104,820 | $50.39 | $77,010 | $145,510 | 18,650 | $94,671 |
| Massachusetts | $102,170 | $49.12 | $80,330 | $123,930 | 2,220 | $96,608 |
| Washington | $101,130 | $48.62 | $76,080 | $127,520 | 1,860 | $94,503 |
| New Jersey | $100,810 | $48.47 | $78,000 | $123,370 | 3,350 | $92,652 |
| Oregon | $100,560 | $48.35 | $81,490 | $120,060 | 1,340 | $97,290 |
| Minnesota | $98,710 | $47.46 | $79,060 | $110,050 | 1,250 | $100,090 |
| Alaska | $97,950 | $47.09 | $80,250 | $114,590 | 180 | $95,693 |
| New Hampshire | $95,940 | $46.13 | $80,490 | $109,000 | 360 | $92,104 |
| Hawaii | $94,210 | $45.29 | $80,130 | $102,780 | 510 | $85,684 |
| Delaware | $91,080 | $43.79 | $79,210 | $109,890 | 500 | $91,255 |
| Maryland | $88,960 | $42.77 | $69,550 | $106,430 | 1,800 | $84,757 |
| Rhode Island | $86,900 | $41.78 | $73,240 | $122,120 | 260 | $84,963 |
| Colorado | $86,220 | $41.45 | $66,560 | $109,070 | 2,110 | $83,666 |
| Nevada | $85,480 | $41.10 | $65,150 | $118,710 | 1,270 | $85,498 |
| Connecticut | $85,230 | $40.98 | $72,410 | $121,620 | 1,370 | $82,260 |
| Wisconsin | $84,210 | $40.49 | $70,520 | $100,320 | 1,940 | $89,495 |
| Illinois | $84,090 | $40.43 | $64,480 | $100,100 | 4,880 | $84,125 |
| Vermont | $83,820 | $40.30 | $50,310 | $99,940 | 210 | $85,567 |
| Georgia | $83,700 | $40.24 | $65,050 | $112,320 | 5,150 | $86,922 |
| Virginia | $82,910 | $39.86 | $65,540 | $106,470 | 3,340 | $82,005 |
| Maine | $82,470 | $39.65 | $61,060 | $98,470 | 520 | $84,977 |
| Nebraska | $81,590 | $39.23 | $64,100 | $96,180 | 840 | $90,552 |
| North Dakota | $81,230 | $39.05 | $65,770 | $100,490 | 270 | $91,312 |
| Montana | $81,190 | $39.03 | $60,800 | $92,890 | 390 | $85,784 |
| Florida | $81,160 | $39.02 | $64,240 | $100,310 | 8,820 | $78,481 |
| Utah | $80,650 | $38.77 | $61,860 | $101,340 | 1,170 | $81,577 |
| North Carolina | $80,090 | $38.50 | $63,990 | $99,520 | 4,630 | $84,908 |
| Ohio | $79,920 | $38.42 | $65,580 | $97,030 | 6,640 | $86,145 |
| Michigan | $79,850 | $38.39 | $64,770 | $90,210 | 4,520 | $82,989 |
| Arizona | $79,780 | $38.36 | $64,780 | $99,180 | 3,500 | $79,244 |
| Indiana | $79,730 | $38.33 | $62,730 | $94,980 | 3,170 | $85,429 |
| Texas | $79,540 | $38.24 | $61,310 | $99,690 | 12,130 | $81,952 |
| Wyoming | $79,330 | $38.14 | $64,300 | $91,840 | 160 | $85,585 |
| Oklahoma | $78,800 | $37.88 | $64,380 | $95,350 | 2,000 | $89,705 |
| Pennsylvania | $78,490 | $37.74 | $62,440 | $95,520 | 6,530 | $80,443 |
| Idaho | $78,460 | $37.72 | $63,540 | $95,290 | 820 | $82,162 |
| Missouri | $78,390 | $37.69 | $60,950 | $95,730 | 3,030 | $86,316 |
| South Carolina | $77,740 | $37.38 | $63,700 | $90,670 | 1,960 | $82,924 |
| Kansas | $76,970 | $37.00 | $60,470 | $94,600 | 1,450 | $85,458 |
| Louisiana | $75,240 | $36.17 | $61,520 | $91,200 | 2,520 | $85,299 |
| Iowa | $74,760 | $35.94 | $62,860 | $86,510 | 910 | $85,185 |
| Arkansas | $73,870 | $35.51 | $59,550 | $93,480 | 1,400 | $84,970 |
| Kentucky | $72,750 | $34.98 | $58,330 | $92,540 | 2,530 | $80,691 |
| Tennessee | $72,140 | $34.68 | $57,860 | $88,060 | 3,440 | $78,524 |
| New Mexico | $68,870 | $33.11 | $61,990 | $91,220 | 840 | $74,687 |
| West Virginia | $68,670 | $33.01 | $52,940 | $94,280 | 1,140 | $76,729 |
| South Dakota | $68,240 | $32.81 | $48,530 | $88,830 | 430 | $77,032 |
| Alabama | $66,150 | $31.80 | $50,250 | $81,030 | 2,350 | $74,474 |
| Mississippi | $63,270 | $30.42 | $50,180 | $80,460 | 1,670 | $72,763 |
After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Respiratory therapist salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes respiratory therapist pay: 275 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- San Jose, CA $149,680
- Vallejo, CA $136,200
- Santa Cruz, CA $134,880
- Sacramento, CA $134,430
- San Francisco, CA $130,220
- Santa Rosa, CA $123,220
- San Luis Obispo, CA $112,430
- New York, NY $110,490
- Santa Maria, CA $108,600
- Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY $106,910
Where the pay goes furthest
- San Jose, CA $135,551
- Sacramento, CA $126,024
- Vallejo, CA $125,554
- Santa Cruz, CA $122,734
- Santa Rosa, CA $114,321
- San Francisco, CA $112,634
- Binghamton, NY $111,131
- Rome, GA $109,493
- Rochester, MN $108,675
- Atlantic City, NJ $105,557
All 275 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $149,680 | 1,060 | $135,551 | 31% |
| Vallejo, CA | $136,200 | 190 | $125,554 | 22% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $134,880 | 70 | $122,734 | 31% |
| Sacramento, CA | $134,430 | 1,140 | $126,024 | 20% |
| San Francisco, CA | $130,220 | 2,010 | $112,634 | 32% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $123,220 | 200 | $114,321 | 26% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $112,430 | 90 | $103,531 | 30% |
| New York, NY | $110,490 | 7,010 | $98,158 | 39% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $108,600 | 130 | $99,818 | 36% |
| Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $106,910 | 240 | $97,704 | 25% |
| Reno, NV | $105,140 | 180 | $104,085 | 24% |
| San Diego, CA | $105,040 | 1,430 | $93,880 | 34% |
| Napa, CA | $104,670 | 60 | $92,995 | 33% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $104,640 | 7,010 | $92,140 | 34% |
| Boston, MA | $104,580 | 1,560 | $96,595 | 34% |
| Salem, OR | $104,360 | 130 | $100,686 | 19% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $104,350 | 110 | $105,557 | 24% |
| Seattle, WA | $104,220 | 1,130 | $93,780 | 26% |
| Modesto, CA | $103,870 | 270 | $99,771 | 24% |
| Redding, CA | $103,830 | 90 | $103,125 | 19% |
| Binghamton, NY | $103,200 | 100 | $111,131 | 19% |
| Medford, OR | $102,780 | 90 | $101,328 | 22% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $102,760 | 370 | $101,858 | 21% |
| Oxnard, CA | $102,250 | 310 | $92,505 | 35% |
| Stockton, CA | $102,050 | 350 | $97,108 | 29% |
| Washington, DC | $101,990 | 1,850 | $93,668 | 28% |
| Merced, CA | $101,810 | 40 | $103,597 | 24% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $100,920 | 820 | $96,277 | 21% |
| Riverside, CA | $100,480 | 2,200 | $94,399 | 30% |
| Portland, OR | $100,030 | 760 | $94,886 | 22% |
| Rome, GA | $98,720 | 120 | $109,493 | 15% |
| Rochester, MN | $98,700 | 160 | $108,675 | 19% |
| Kennewick, WA | $98,320 | 60 | $98,242 | 21% |
| Worcester, MA | $98,120 | 250 | $95,705 | 26% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $98,010 | 260 | $91,715 | 35% |
| Anchorage, AK | $97,950 | 130 | $92,914 | 23% |
| Atlanta, GA | $95,520 | 2,670 | $95,465 | 23% |
| Kingston, NY | $95,170 | 60 | $94,500 | 25% |
| Honolulu, HI | $94,210 | 440 | $84,904 | 38% |
| Manchester, NH | $93,300 | 100 | $88,305 | 28% |
| Boulder, CO | $91,880 | 130 | $87,337 | 29% |
| Utica, NY | $91,610 | 90 | $98,848 | 19% |
| Waterbury, CT | $89,660 | 140 | $89,859 | – |
| Milwaukee, WI | $89,040 | 630 | $91,853 | 21% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $88,790 | 2,990 | $86,579 | 26% |
| Baltimore, MD | $88,020 | 960 | $84,240 | 26% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $87,890 | 330 | $87,273 | 24% |
| Raleigh, NC | $87,820 | 430 | $89,469 | 23% |
| Chicago, IL | $87,060 | 3,620 | $84,039 | 30% |
| Buffalo, NY | $86,720 | 510 | $90,480 | 20% |
| Charlottesville, VA | $86,720 | 120 | $87,467 | 28% |
| Providence, RI | $86,660 | 420 | $85,150 | 30% |
| Racine, WI | $86,460 | 40 | $90,099 | 20% |
| Portland, ME | $86,440 | 200 | $84,863 | 32% |
| Lakeland, FL | $86,300 | 250 | $88,840 | 25% |
| Prescott Valley, AZ | $86,220 | 60 | $87,751 | 26% |
| Springfield, MA | $86,030 | 200 | $89,558 | 27% |
| Eugene, OR | $85,930 | 120 | $84,603 | 25% |
| Denver, CO | $85,870 | 1,100 | $81,176 | 27% |
| Syracuse, NY | $85,860 | 280 | $89,679 | 23% |
| Duluth, MN | $85,700 | 100 | $96,544 | 19% |
| Albany, NY | $85,250 | 300 | $85,622 | 24% |
| New Haven, CT | $85,230 | 240 | $81,514 | 29% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $85,110 | 1,020 | $84,927 | 24% |
| Bismarck, ND | $84,570 | 50 | $92,910 | 18% |
| Kankakee, IL | $84,490 | 60 | $87,651 | 19% |
| Fargo, ND | $84,480 | 140 | $92,967 | 16% |
| Dover, DE | $84,410 | 60 | $86,568 | 25% |
| Reading, PA | $84,330 | 130 | $86,884 | 22% |
| Appleton, WI | $84,300 | 60 | $91,215 | 17% |
| Dallas, TX | $84,080 | 3,010 | $81,560 | 24% |
| Fort Collins, CO | $83,880 | – | $82,944 | 28% |
| Fresno, CA | $83,340 | 580 | $81,580 | 30% |
| Sebastian, FL | $83,310 | 90 | $84,744 | 31% |
| North Port, FL | $83,110 | 260 | $81,149 | 30% |
| Michigan City, IN | $82,990 | 50 | $90,519 | 17% |
| Rochester, NY | $82,990 | 410 | $85,526 | 22% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $82,860 | 190 | $82,672 | 33% |
| Austin, TX | $82,760 | 770 | $84,392 | 23% |
| Missoula, MT | $82,580 | 70 | $85,624 | 24% |
| Ogden, UT | $82,380 | 190 | $82,093 | 24% |
| Green Bay, WI | $82,300 | 130 | $88,413 | 16% |
| Toledo, OH | $82,280 | 350 | $89,968 | 18% |
| Canton, OH | $82,200 | 180 | $91,940 | 17% |
| Lake Havasu City, AZ | $82,200 | 60 | $87,356 | 22% |
| Orlando, FL | $82,070 | 1,190 | $80,923 | 28% |
| Visalia, CA | $82,030 | 120 | $82,174 | 25% |
| Charlotte, NC | $82,020 | 1,110 | $84,254 | 25% |
| Columbus, OH | $81,860 | 1,220 | $85,745 | 22% |
| Hartford, CT | $81,770 | 550 | $79,585 | 29% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $81,760 | 670 | $82,184 | 25% |
| Richmond, VA | $81,750 | 630 | $83,539 | 25% |
| Athens, GA | $81,730 | 90 | $87,559 | 26% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $81,720 | 1,230 | $85,395 | 22% |
| Tampa, FL | $81,630 | 1,320 | $80,910 | 29% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $81,600 | 1,300 | $85,561 | 22% |
| Janesville, WI | $81,600 | 70 | $87,084 | 19% |
| Lincoln, NE | $81,590 | 150 | $89,091 | 19% |
| Asheville, NC | $81,550 | 150 | $84,503 | 25% |
| Pensacola, FL | $81,540 | 200 | $83,445 | 26% |
| Madison, WI | $81,530 | 350 | $83,804 | 26% |
| Lynchburg, VA | $81,470 | 120 | $91,167 | 19% |
| Battle Creek, MI | $81,440 | 60 | $89,948 | 17% |
| Dayton, OH | $81,420 | 610 | $87,837 | 19% |
| Grand Junction, CO | $81,290 | 70 | $85,142 | 26% |
| Monroe, MI | $81,290 | 30 | $86,949 | 19% |
| Omaha, NE | $81,270 | 460 | $88,422 | 21% |
| Bangor, ME | $81,020 | 70 | $83,952 | 22% |
| Wilmington, NC | $81,020 | 200 | $84,026 | 26% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $80,990 | 710 | $82,693 | 28% |
| Eau Claire, WI | $80,900 | 50 | $87,180 | 17% |
| Miami, FL | $80,880 | 2,620 | $70,851 | 39% |
| Pueblo, CO | $80,860 | 90 | $88,119 | 20% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $80,810 | 950 | $89,384 | 21% |
| Detroit, MI | $80,790 | 1,910 | $80,550 | 22% |
| Macon, GA | $80,730 | 180 | $91,191 | 18% |
| Cape Coral, FL | $80,680 | 350 | $78,828 | 27% |
| Fayetteville, NC | $80,650 | 110 | $87,684 | 22% |
| Crestview, FL | $80,530 | 70 | $82,994 | 29% |
| Amarillo, TX | $80,470 | 120 | $87,639 | 20% |
| Houston, TX | $80,450 | 3,630 | $81,568 | 24% |
| Cleveland, OH | $80,360 | 1,380 | $85,559 | 22% |
| Tulsa, OK | $80,250 | 540 | $89,952 | 21% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $80,250 | 530 | $87,188 | 23% |
| Lafayette, IN | $80,140 | 110 | $85,775 | 22% |
| Greensboro, NC | $80,090 | 290 | $86,243 | 21% |
| Lancaster, PA | $80,060 | 230 | $81,480 | 24% |
| Lexington, KY | $80,040 | 430 | $86,167 | 24% |
| Allentown, PA | $79,960 | 490 | $79,986 | 28% |
| Chambersburg, PA | $79,910 | 40 | $84,434 | 20% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $79,850 | 390 | $79,153 | 29% |
| Billings, MT | $79,820 | 100 | $85,345 | 21% |
| Columbia, SC | $79,780 | 330 | $85,179 | 23% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $79,760 | 2,600 | $77,200 | 26% |
| York, PA | $79,540 | 230 | $82,854 | 21% |
| Twin Falls, ID | $79,520 | 40 | $86,333 | 24% |
| Mobile, AL | $79,490 | 180 | $90,229 | 19% |
| South Bend, IN | $79,450 | 110 | $85,561 | 19% |
| Charleston, SC | $79,410 | 390 | $78,653 | 31% |
| St. Louis, MO | $79,210 | 1,260 | $83,302 | 22% |
| Clarksville, TN | $79,150 | 60 | $87,029 | 20% |
| Kansas City, MO | $79,140 | 1,190 | $85,517 | 23% |
| Evansville, IN | $78,990 | 170 | $86,301 | 17% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $78,980 | 640 | $78,300 | 25% |
| Tallahassee, FL | $78,950 | 150 | $84,062 | 22% |
| Akron, OH | $78,940 | 350 | $84,545 | 20% |
| Texarkana, TX | $78,880 | 110 | $93,891 | 19% |
| Roanoke, VA | $78,820 | 190 | $84,193 | 21% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $78,750 | 410 | $79,828 | 23% |
| Provo, UT | $78,750 | 170 | $80,167 | 27% |
| Palm Bay, FL | $78,740 | 250 | $78,736 | 29% |
| Nashville, TN | $78,700 | 1,070 | $81,692 | 27% |
| Norwich, CT | $78,700 | 80 | $78,351 | 32% |
| Deltona, FL | $78,650 | 250 | $79,151 | 27% |
| Sierra Vista, AZ | $78,600 | 40 | $88,074 | 20% |
| Augusta, GA | $78,560 | 350 | $85,481 | 22% |
| Florence, SC | $78,550 | 100 | $90,523 | 23% |
| Lansing, MI | $78,530 | 160 | $82,671 | 20% |
| Longview, TX | $78,520 | 90 | $87,747 | 18% |
| Boise, ID | $78,460 | 430 | $79,743 | 29% |
| Greenville, SC | $78,390 | 400 | $84,055 | 24% |
| Scranton, PA | $78,380 | 230 | $83,779 | 21% |
| Hickory, NC | $78,350 | 130 | $88,545 | 24% |
| Springfield, IL | $78,340 | 140 | $84,468 | 18% |
| Tucson, AZ | $78,320 | 540 | $80,829 | 23% |
| Williamsport, PA | $78,300 | 50 | $84,786 | 17% |
| Savannah, GA | $78,200 | 240 | $82,138 | 27% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $78,130 | 210 | $84,309 | 22% |
| Bloomington, IN | $78,100 | 90 | $82,138 | 27% |
| Fort Smith, AR | $78,080 | 100 | $90,909 | 17% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $78,070 | 690 | $81,709 | 25% |
| Springfield, OH | $78,020 | – | $86,227 | 18% |
| San Antonio, TX | $77,900 | 950 | $82,246 | 22% |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | $77,830 | 30 | $83,270 | 27% |
| Flint, MI | $77,760 | 150 | $83,582 | 16% |
| Fayetteville, AR | $77,720 | 220 | $85,077 | 24% |
| Peoria, IL | $77,660 | 210 | $85,125 | 18% |
| Rockford, IL | $77,640 | 160 | $84,250 | 20% |
| Kenosha, WI | $77,570 | 40 | $76,712 | – |
| Lima, OH | $77,570 | 90 | $86,507 | 19% |
| Jefferson City, MO | $77,500 | 50 | $88,093 | 16% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $77,390 | 210 | $83,600 | 20% |
| Panama City, FL | $77,390 | 70 | $79,541 | 27% |
| Midland, TX | $77,370 | 60 | $80,776 | 24% |
| Enid, OK | $77,230 | 40 | $91,647 | 17% |
| Topeka, KS | $77,190 | 120 | $86,906 | 19% |
| Columbus, GA | $77,150 | 150 | $86,398 | 21% |
| Montgomery, AL | $76,920 | 180 | $85,770 | 22% |
| Tyler, TX | $76,800 | 250 | $83,337 | 21% |
| Slidell, LA | $76,680 | 230 | $82,695 | – |
| Beaumont, TX | $76,660 | 130 | $85,134 | 20% |
| New Orleans, LA | $76,590 | 620 | $82,713 | 25% |
| Louisville, KY | $76,560 | 840 | $82,257 | 21% |
| Warner Robins, GA | $76,560 | 70 | $81,630 | 24% |
| Albany, GA | $76,540 | 70 | $87,306 | 17% |
| Lubbock, TX | $76,530 | 220 | $83,807 | 21% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $76,440 | 150 | $81,630 | 27% |
| Kalamazoo, MI | $76,220 | 130 | $80,367 | 20% |
| Lafayette, LA | $76,210 | 290 | $87,388 | 22% |
| San Angelo, TX | $76,200 | 80 | $82,420 | 21% |
| Gainesville, FL | $76,170 | – | $78,743 | 26% |
| Victoria, TX | $76,110 | 70 | $84,718 | 18% |
| Paducah, KY | $76,100 | 80 | $88,402 | 18% |
| Hammond, LA | $75,990 | 80 | $89,972 | 21% |
| Monroe, LA | $75,770 | 90 | $90,637 | 19% |
| Des Moines, IA | $75,650 | 200 | $82,496 | 20% |
| Youngstown, OH | $75,650 | 160 | $86,562 | 17% |
| Bloomington, IL | $75,490 | 70 | $80,706 | 21% |
| El Paso, TX | $75,490 | 310 | $83,960 | 24% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $75,470 | 1,220 | $79,718 | 23% |
| Davenport, IA | $75,460 | 100 | $84,711 | 16% |
| Waco, TX | $75,370 | 100 | $81,437 | 23% |
| Little Rock, AR | $75,300 | 530 | $84,262 | 20% |
| Iowa City, IA | $75,110 | 150 | $82,079 | 28% |
| Champaign, IL | $74,660 | 120 | $80,536 | 22% |
| Daphne, AL | $74,650 | 80 | $78,836 | 27% |
| Killeen, TX | $74,370 | 260 | $81,607 | 21% |
| Chattanooga, TN | $74,350 | 370 | $81,289 | 24% |
| Hagerstown, MD | $74,300 | 70 | $78,899 | 26% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $74,220 | 320 | $81,758 | 22% |
| Dubuque, IA | $74,190 | 40 | $84,956 | 17% |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $74,040 | 40 | $81,747 | 21% |
| Shreveport, LA | $73,940 | 280 | $87,228 | 21% |
| St. Joseph, MO | $73,860 | 50 | $85,504 | 16% |
| Weirton, WV | $73,840 | 60 | $82,944 | 13% |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $73,830 | 70 | $83,886 | 21% |
| State College, PA | $73,690 | 60 | $76,156 | 32% |
| Lake Charles, LA | $73,680 | 60 | $85,822 | 22% |
| Yuma, AZ | $73,580 | 80 | $79,369 | 23% |
| Sherman, TX | $73,530 | 60 | $78,414 | 22% |
| Pocatello, ID | $73,270 | 60 | $82,413 | 18% |
| Mansfield, OH | $72,860 | 50 | $81,983 | 15% |
| Springfield, MO | $72,490 | 310 | $81,831 | 21% |
| Wichita, KS | $71,330 | 320 | $80,195 | 20% |
| Abilene, TX | $71,260 | 80 | $78,859 | 34% |
| Johnstown, PA | $71,210 | 80 | $82,871 | 15% |
| Alexandria, LA | $71,140 | 110 | $83,024 | 17% |
| Casper, WY | $70,980 | 50 | $75,648 | 24% |
| Columbia, MO | $69,400 | 150 | $77,596 | 25% |
| Sandusky, OH | $69,360 | 40 | $77,687 | 31% |
| Greenville, NC | $69,310 | 150 | $78,403 | 25% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $68,870 | 500 | $72,080 | 26% |
| Charleston, WV | $68,670 | 220 | $77,403 | 21% |
| Bowling Green, KY | $68,490 | 90 | $75,949 | 21% |
| Spartanburg, SC | $67,700 | 220 | $74,354 | 26% |
| Beckley, WV | $67,600 | 60 | $76,497 | 18% |
| Farmington, NM | $67,600 | 50 | $77,075 | 25% |
| Valdosta, GA | $67,600 | 100 | $76,582 | 24% |
| Jackson, MS | $67,500 | 510 | $75,802 | 26% |
| Birmingham, AL | $67,480 | 790 | $73,633 | 25% |
| Brownsville, TX | $66,990 | 110 | $77,918 | 27% |
| Cape Girardeau, MO | $66,910 | 90 | $77,732 | 18% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $66,830 | 70 | $75,121 | 22% |
| Anniston, AL | $66,740 | 60 | $77,651 | 17% |
| Gulfport, MS | $66,660 | 190 | $74,062 | 26% |
| Memphis, TN | $66,460 | 670 | $72,099 | 25% |
| Huntington, WV | $66,040 | 270 | $74,687 | 20% |
| Joplin, MO | $65,630 | 150 | $76,565 | 23% |
| McAllen, TX | $65,390 | 250 | $76,128 | 21% |
| Jackson, TN | $65,310 | 110 | $76,366 | 26% |
| Waterloo, IA | $65,070 | 70 | $74,744 | 19% |
| Knoxville, TN | $64,800 | 460 | $70,002 | 32% |
| Huntsville, AL | $64,330 | 270 | $69,119 | 26% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $64,140 | 110 | $73,117 | 31% |
| Sioux City, IA | $63,800 | 40 | $73,796 | 24% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $63,630 | 270 | $70,208 | 24% |
| Las Cruces, NM | $62,960 | 70 | $69,791 | 28% |
| Gadsden, AL | $62,800 | 70 | $73,319 | 20% |
| Kingsport, TN | $62,740 | 170 | $72,576 | 25% |
| Erie, PA | $62,480 | 110 | $68,697 | 22% |
| Houma, LA | $62,260 | 120 | $73,158 | 25% |
| Dothan, AL | $61,290 | 100 | $73,110 | 24% |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $60,170 | 120 | $68,661 | 26% |
| Altoona, PA | $59,980 | 40 | $67,012 | 20% |
| Jacksonville, NC | $54,790 | 40 | $59,499 | 35% |
What the median respiratory therapist salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $82,280 |
| Month | $6,857 |
| Every two weeks | $3,165 |
| Week | $1,582 |
| Hour | $39.56 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a respiratory therapist: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Associate's degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | None |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +8.5% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 8,600 |
| Self-employed | % |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Ultrasound tech | $96,590 | Associate's degree |
| Vet tech | $47,380 | Associate's degree |
| Speech-language pathologist | $97,870 | Master's degree |
| Physician assistant | $135,880 | Master's degree |
| Nurse practitioner | $132,300 | Master's degree |
| Medical lab tech | $62,930 | Bachelor's degree |
| MRI tech | $95,480 | Associate's degree |
| CRNA | $236,590 | Master's degree |
Questions about respiratory therapist pay
How much does a respiratory therapist make an hour?
The median is $39.56 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $30.61 and the top 10% over $56.75.
How much does a respiratory therapist make a month?
About $6,857 a month before taxes at the median salary of $82,280, or $3,165 every two weeks.
What state pays respiratory therapists the most?
The District of Columbia, with a median of $111,950. New York ($107,810), California ($104,820), Massachusetts ($102,170) and Washington ($101,130) follow.
Where do respiratory therapists make the most after cost of living?
The District of Columbia: its median of $111,950 is worth $101,864 at typical US prices. Minnesota, New York and Oregon come next.
How much do entry-level respiratory therapists make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of respiratory therapists earn under $63,660 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $74,520, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a respiratory therapist?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as an associate's degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: none.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 29-1126 (Respiratory Therapists). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.