Home Salary Guide Respiratory Therapist

Healthcare

Respiratory Therapist Salary

Respiratory therapists care for patients who have trouble breathing, such as those with asthma, COPD, or pneumonia, managing ventilators and performing diagnostic tests.

Median: $61,830 Growth: 14% BLS Data

Respiratory Therapist Salary Range

Entry Level

$48,000

0-2 years

Mid Career

$62,000

5-10 years

Senior Level

$82,000

10+ years

Salary Percentiles

10th Percentile $47,380

25th Percentile $53,110

Median (50th) $61,830

75th Percentile $76,340

90th Percentile $95,540

Top Paying States for Respiratory Therapists

1 California

$90,000

2 New Jersey

$78,000

3 Connecticut

$76,000

4 Hawaii

$74,000

5 Nevada

$73,000

Job Outlook & Education

Growth Rate

+14%

Much Faster Than Average

Education

Associate's or bachelor's degree in Respiratory Therapy

How Much Do Respiratory Therapists Make?

The median annual salary for a respiratory therapist in the United States is $61,830 as of 2026. This means half of respiratory therapists earn more than this amount, and half earn less.

Salary by Experience Level

Entry Level (0-2 years): $48,000
Mid Career (5-10 years): $62,000
Senior Level (10+ years): $82,000

Calculate Your Take-Home

See exactly how much you'll take home after taxes with our income calculator.

Calculate $61,830 Salary

Hourly Equivalent

Based on 2,080 work hours/year

$29/hr

See $29/hr Breakdown

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What Can a Respiratory Therapist Afford?

Based on median salary of $61,830

Max Rent $1,549/mo

Max Car Payment $619/mo

Monthly Savings $811/mo

See Full Budget Breakdown

Useful Tools

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Related Careers

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Physical Therapist

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