Respiratory Therapist Salary in 2026
Respiratory therapists care for patients with breathing difficulties, managing ventilators, administering treatments, and conducting diagnostic tests. They treat conditions like asthma and COPD.
Median Salary
$82,280
$6,857/mo
Entry Level
$61,100
starting pay
Senior Level
$96,000
experienced
Job Growth
+14%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Respiratory Therapists (SOC 29-1126) at a national median of $82,280 per year (mean $87,300), or $39.56 per hour, with 139,790 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Respiratory Therapist Overview
Respiratory therapists care for patients with breathing difficulties, managing ventilators, administering treatments, and conducting diagnostic tests. They treat conditions like asthma and COPD.
Education
Associate's Degree
Experience
0-2 years
Industry
Healthcare
Total Jobs (US)
140K
5-Year Growth
+12%
Category
Healthcare
Hourly Rate
$39.56/hr
Monthly Pay
$6,857
Respiratory Therapist Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Respiratory Therapist salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Respiratory Therapist Salary
$84,000
$7,000/month · $3,231/biweekly · $40.38/hr
Respiratory Therapist Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Respiratory Therapist field.
Entry-level Respiratory Therapists earn around $61,100, while the top 10% earn $108,450 or more.
Top Paying States for Respiratory Therapists
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $97,000 | +$14,720 |
| New York | $95,000 | +$12,720 |
| Texas | $81,000 | $-1,280 |
| Florida | $81,000 | $-1,280 |
| Ohio | $78,000 | $-4,280 |
Top Paying Cities for Respiratory Therapists
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $97,000 | +$14,720 |
| Los Angeles | $92,000 | +$9,720 |
| Miami | $84,000 | +$1,720 |
| Houston | $81,000 | $-1,280 |
| Cleveland | $77,000 | $-5,280 |
City figures are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier; BLS does not publish a metro-level series for this title.
Respiratory Therapist Salary by City
Published city-level wage and take-home pay guides for Respiratory Therapist.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Respiratory Therapist Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Respiratory Therapist from entry level to expert.
$61,100
0-2 years
$79,000
3-7 years
$96,000
8-14 years
$120,900
15+ years
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Respiratory Therapist Salary FAQ
How much does a Respiratory Therapist make in 2026?
The median salary for a Respiratory Therapist in the United States is $82,280 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Respiratory Therapists (SOC 29-1126); the mean is $87,300. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $61,100, senior professionals around $96,000, and top earners at $120,900 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Respiratory Therapist?
A Respiratory Therapist typically requires a Associate's Degree with 0-2 years of experience. Key skills include Ventilator Management, Arterial Blood Gas, Pulmonary Function Testing. Relevant certifications such as RRT or CRT can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Respiratory Therapists?
The job market for Respiratory Therapists is projected to grow by 14% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 140K Respiratory Therapist positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 12%, reflecting strong demand for this role.
Which states pay Respiratory Therapists the most?
The highest-paying states for Respiratory Therapists include California, Texas, New York. In California, the median salary is approximately $97,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Respiratory Therapist salary?
To increase your Respiratory Therapist salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Ventilator Management and Arterial Blood Gas. Pursue certifications such as RRT. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like Los Angeles. With 0-2 years of experience, you can progress from $61,100 to $96,000 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Respiratory Therapist Salary
How we calculate Respiratory Therapist salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Respiratory Therapists (SOC 29-1126), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $82,280, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Respiratory Therapists; BLS mean $87,300; BLS hourly median $39.56.
- Entry-level ($61,100) and senior-level ($96,000) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +14% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 139,790 Respiratory Therapists jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 12% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Healthcare sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Associate's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $82,280; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Respiratory Therapist compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Respiratory Therapist job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Healthcare
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Respiratory Therapist salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Ventilator Management, Arterial Blood Gas, Pulmonary Function Testing), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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