SOC 29-1126 · May 2025 · United States
Respiratory Therapists
National figures, with pay broken out by state and metro area
The median wage for Respiratory Therapists across the United States is $82,280 per year, measured over 139,790 jobs. The highest state median is in District of Columbia, at $111,950.
National wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Where the pay is highest for Respiratory Therapists
Pay for this occupation varies by 76.9% between the highest and lowest paying states with published data. District of Columbia pays $111,950 and Mississippi pays $63,270.
| # | State | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $111,950 | 430 | |
| 2 | New York | $107,810 | 7,010 | |
| 3 | California | $104,820 | 18,650 | |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $102,170 | 2,220 | |
| 5 | Washington | $101,130 | 1,860 | |
| 6 | New Jersey | $100,810 | 3,350 | |
| 7 | Oregon | $100,560 | 1,340 | |
| 8 | Minnesota | $98,710 | 1,250 | |
| 9 | Alaska | $97,950 | 180 | |
| 10 | New Hampshire | $95,940 | 360 |
States with the most Respiratory Therapists jobs
| # | State | Jobs | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 18,650 | $104,820 | |
| 2 | Texas | 12,130 | $79,540 | |
| 3 | Florida | 8,820 | $81,160 | |
| 4 | New York | 7,010 | $107,810 | |
| 5 | Ohio | 6,640 | $79,920 | |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | 6,530 | $78,490 | |
| 7 | Georgia | 5,150 | $83,700 | |
| 8 | Illinois | 4,880 | $84,090 | |
| 9 | North Carolina | 4,630 | $80,090 | |
| 10 | Michigan | 4,520 | $79,850 |
Top-paying metro areas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose | $149,680 | 1,060 |
| 2 | Vallejo | $136,200 | 190 |
| 3 | Santa Cruz | $134,880 | 70 |
| 4 | Sacramento | $134,430 | 1,140 |
| 5 | San Francisco | $130,220 | 2,010 |
| 6 | Santa Rosa | $123,220 | 200 |
| 7 | San Luis Obispo | $112,430 | 90 |
| 8 | New York | $110,490 | 7,010 |
| 9 | Santa Maria | $108,600 | 130 |
| 10 | Kiryas Joel | $106,910 | 240 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
Explore related data