How Much Does a Respiratory Therapist Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$82,280
Respiratory therapists in the U.S. earn a median of $82,280 a year, or $39.56 an hour. Half of respiratory therapists earn more than $82,280 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $118,050.
Pay percentiles for respiratory therapists
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $30.61 | $63,660 |
| 25th | $35.83 | $74,520 |
| 50th (median) | $39.56 | $82,280 |
| 75th | $47.47 | $98,730 |
| 90th | $56.75 | $118,050 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Respiratory Therapists (SOC 29-1126). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for respiratory therapists
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $111,950 | $53.82 | +36% |
| New York | $107,810 | $51.83 | +31% |
| California | $104,820 | $50.40 | +27% |
| Massachusetts | $102,170 | $49.12 | +24% |
| Washington | $101,130 | $48.62 | +23% |
| New Jersey | $100,810 | $48.47 | +23% |
| Oregon | $100,560 | $48.34 | +22% |
| Minnesota | $98,710 | $47.46 | +20% |
| Alaska | $97,950 | $47.09 | +19% |
| New Hampshire | $95,940 | $46.13 | +17% |
| United States | $82,280 | $39.56 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many respiratory therapists are there?
BLS counts about 139,790 respiratory therapists employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). The most jobs are in California (18,650), Texas (12,130) and Florida (8,820).
The mean (average) annual wage is $87,300, higher than the median of $82,280.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $6,857
- Biweekly
- $3,165
- Weekly
- $1,582
- Daily (8 hours)
- $316
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do respiratory therapists make an hour?
The median hourly wage for respiratory therapists is $39.56. The middle 50% earn between $35.83 and $47.47 an hour.
Which state pays respiratory therapists the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage for respiratory therapists at $111,950, +36% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for respiratory therapists?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of respiratory therapists earn less than $63,660 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.