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
$66,000
$5,500/mo
Entry Level
$49,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$77,000
experienced
Job Growth
+14%
10-yr outlook
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)
135K
5-Year Growth
+12%
Category
Healthcare
Hourly Rate
$31.73/hr
Monthly Pay
$5,500
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
$67,000
$5,583/month · $2,577/biweekly · $32.21/hr
Respiratory Therapist Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Respiratory Therapist field.
Entry-level Respiratory Therapists earn around $49,000, while the top 10% earn $87,000 or more.
Top Paying States for Respiratory Therapists
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $78,000 | +$12,000 |
| New York | $76,000 | +$10,000 |
| Texas | $65,000 | $-1,000 |
| Florida | $65,000 | $-1,000 |
| Ohio | $63,000 | $-3,000 |
Top Paying Cities for Respiratory Therapists
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $78,000 | +$12,000 |
| Los Angeles | $74,000 | +$8,000 |
| Miami | $67,000 | +$1,000 |
| Houston | $65,000 | $-1,000 |
| Cleveland | $61,000 | $-5,000 |
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Respiratory Therapist Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Respiratory Therapist from entry level to expert.
$49,000
0-2 years
$63,000
3-7 years
$77,000
8-14 years
$97,000
15+ years
Related Healthcare Jobs
Respiratory Therapist Salary FAQ
Methodology & Data Sources — Respiratory Therapist Salary
How we calculate Respiratory Therapist salary data: Our figures combine BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for the national salary baseline, adjusted by cost-of-living multipliers from the C2ER Cost of Living Index. State-level estimates use BLS regional wage survey data weighted by occupation employment counts. We calibrate entry/senior/top-level tiers against BLS percentile distributions (P10, P25, P75, P90) for this occupation.
- National median salary: $66,000 — sourced from BLS OEWS for SOC code corresponding to Respiratory Therapist in the Healthcare sector.
- Entry-level ($49,000) and senior-level ($77,000) figures reflect BLS P25 and P75 percentile wage estimates adjusted for experience.
- Job outlook: +14% projected growth through 2034, from BLS Employment Projections program. Approximately 135K total positions nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 12% over the past 5 years, derived from BLS Employment Cost Index for Healthcare sector wages.
- Education requirement: Associate's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State-level estimates use BLS regional CPI-U data and OEWS metropolitan area wage surveys, normalized to the national median of $66,000.
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 Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · BLS data current as of latest OEWS annual release
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