Respiratory Therapists Salary in the United States
Median annual wage: $82,280 · Median hourly: $39.56 · Employment: 139,790
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $63,660 | $30.61 |
| 25th | $74,520 | $35.83 |
| Median | $82,280 | $39.56 |
| 75th | $98,730 | $47.47 |
| 90th | $118,050 | $56.75 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 29-1126
- Total U.S. employment: 139,790
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
Reading the data
The mean wage of $87,300 sits 6.1% above the median — the typical worker earns close to the median, while a smaller group of higher earners pulls the average up.
Respiratory Therapists Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $66,150 | $31.81 | -19.6% | 2,350 |
| Alaska | $97,950 | $47.09 | +19.0% | 180 |
| Arizona | $79,780 | $38.36 | -3.0% | 3,500 |
| Arkansas | $73,870 | $35.51 | -10.2% | 1,400 |
| California | $104,820 | $50.40 | +27.4% | 18,650 |
| Colorado | $86,220 | $41.45 | +4.8% | 2,110 |
| Connecticut | $85,230 | $40.98 | +3.6% | 1,370 |
| Delaware | $91,080 | $43.79 | +10.7% | 500 |
| District of Columbia | $111,950 | $53.82 | +36.1% | 430 |
| Florida | $81,160 | $39.02 | -1.4% | 8,820 |
| Georgia | $83,700 | $40.24 | +1.7% | 5,150 |
| Hawaii | $94,210 | $45.30 | +14.5% | 510 |
| Idaho | $78,460 | $37.72 | -4.6% | 820 |
| Illinois | $84,090 | $40.43 | +2.2% | 4,880 |
| Indiana | $79,730 | $38.33 | -3.1% | 3,170 |
| Iowa | $74,760 | $35.94 | -9.1% | 910 |
| Kansas | $76,970 | $37.01 | -6.5% | 1,450 |
| Kentucky | $72,750 | $34.98 | -11.6% | 2,530 |
| Louisiana | $75,240 | $36.17 | -8.6% | 2,520 |
| Maine | $82,470 | $39.65 | +0.2% | 520 |
| Maryland | $88,960 | $42.77 | +8.1% | 1,800 |
| Massachusetts | $102,170 | $49.12 | +24.2% | 2,220 |
| Michigan | $79,850 | $38.39 | -3.0% | 4,520 |
| Minnesota | $98,710 | $47.46 | +20.0% | 1,250 |
| Mississippi | $63,270 | $30.42 | -23.1% | 1,670 |
| Missouri | $78,390 | $37.69 | -4.7% | 3,030 |
| Montana | $81,190 | $39.03 | -1.3% | 390 |
| Nebraska | $81,590 | $39.22 | -0.8% | 840 |
| Nevada | $85,480 | $41.10 | +3.9% | 1,270 |
| New Hampshire | $95,940 | $46.13 | +16.6% | 360 |
| New Jersey | $100,810 | $48.47 | +22.5% | 3,350 |
| New Mexico | $68,870 | $33.11 | -16.3% | 840 |
| New York | $107,810 | $51.83 | +31.0% | 7,010 |
| North Carolina | $80,090 | $38.51 | -2.7% | 4,630 |
| North Dakota | $81,230 | $39.06 | -1.3% | 270 |
| Ohio | $79,920 | $38.42 | -2.9% | 6,640 |
| Oklahoma | $78,800 | $37.88 | -4.2% | 2,000 |
| Oregon | $100,560 | $48.34 | +22.2% | 1,340 |
| Pennsylvania | $78,490 | $37.74 | -4.6% | 6,530 |
| Rhode Island | $86,900 | $41.78 | +5.6% | 260 |
| South Carolina | $77,740 | $37.38 | -5.5% | 1,960 |
| South Dakota | $68,240 | $32.81 | -17.1% | 430 |
| Tennessee | $72,140 | $34.68 | -12.3% | 3,440 |
| Texas | $79,540 | $38.24 | -3.3% | 12,130 |
| Utah | $80,650 | $38.77 | -2.0% | 1,170 |
| Vermont | $83,820 | $40.30 | +1.9% | 210 |
| Virginia | $82,910 | $39.86 | +0.8% | 3,340 |
| Washington | $101,130 | $48.62 | +22.9% | 1,860 |
| West Virginia | $68,670 | $33.01 | -16.5% | 1,140 |
| Wisconsin | $84,210 | $40.48 | +2.3% | 1,940 |
| Wyoming | $79,330 | $38.14 | -3.6% | 160 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES, May 2024 (updated April 2025)
Related Occupations
- Stockers and Order Fillers — $37,330/yr
- Customer Service Representatives — $44,770/yr
- Office Clerks, General — $45,010/yr
- Waiters and Waitresses — $35,230/yr
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $36,840/yr
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers — $58,640/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for respiratory therapists?
The median annual wage for respiratory therapists is $82,280 ($39.56 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2024.
Which state pays respiratory therapists the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many respiratory therapists are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 139,790 respiratory therapists employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do respiratory therapists make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $39.56. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.