Respiratory Therapist Salary in 2026
How Much Do Respiratory Therapists Make?
Respiratory Therapists earn a median annual salary of $80,450 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $61,900 at the 10th percentile to $108,820 at the 90th percentile — a range of $46,920. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $104,240.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $61,900 |
| 25th percentile | $68,410 |
| Median (50th) | $80,450 |
| 75th percentile | $95,530 |
| 90th percentile | $108,820 |
Respiratory Therapist Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbiatop | $104,240 |
| New York | $103,820 |
| California | $102,120 |
| New Jersey | $98,020 |
| Washington | $97,150 |
| Massachusetts | $96,940 |
| Oregon | $96,130 |
| Hawaii | $94,670 |
| Alaska | $94,210 |
| Minnesota | $88,040 |
| Delaware | $87,380 |
| Maryland | $85,570 |
| New Hampshire | $83,620 |
| Rhode Island | $83,600 |
| Connecticut | $83,250 |
| Wisconsin | $82,160 |
| Georgia | $81,890 |
| Illinois | $81,310 |
| Montana | $80,950 |
| Colorado | $80,690 |
| Florida | $79,710 |
| Virginia | $79,600 |
| Nevada | $79,510 |
| Maine | $79,330 |
| Arizona | $79,290 |
| Utah | $78,990 |
| Nebraska | $78,880 |
| Vermont | $78,760 |
| Ohio | $78,400 |
| Indiana | $77,820 |
| Texas | $77,550 |
| Michigan | $77,460 |
| North Carolina | $77,050 |
| North Dakota | $76,660 |
| Pennsylvania | $76,160 |
| Oklahoma | $76,080 |
| South Carolina | $75,960 |
| Wyoming | $75,900 |
| Idaho | $75,510 |
| Missouri | $73,880 |
| Kansas | $73,580 |
| Louisiana | $70,140 |
| Iowa | $68,790 |
| Arkansas | $67,960 |
| New Mexico | $66,460 |
| West Virginia | $66,370 |
| Kentucky | $65,670 |
| Tennessee | $65,000 |
| South Dakota | $64,720 |
| Alabama | $64,010 |
| Mississippi | $61,320 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Respiratory Therapists
Respiratory Therapist Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$61,900 – $68,410 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$80,450 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$95,530 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $108,820+ |
How to Earn More as a Respiratory Therapist
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Respiratory Therapists in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $137,080 — $56,630 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($95,530) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Respiratory Therapist Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Respiratory Therapistthis career | $80,450 |
| Anesthesiologist Assistant | $133,260 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,020 |
| Radiation Therapist | $101,990 |
| Registered Nurse | $93,600 |
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SOC: 29-1126.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.