SOC 29-1126 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Respiratory Therapists — Hickory
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Respiratory Therapists in Hickory, NC is $78,350 per year, close to the national median of $82,280 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Respiratory Therapists in Hickory, NC is $78,350 per year, close to the national median of $82,280 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $70,240 and $98,170. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $63,900 and the ninetieth at $125,590.
The area has 130 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.8 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Raleigh records the highest median at $87,820. Of the 385 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 65th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $63,900 | −22.3% |
| 25th | $70,240 | −14.6% |
| Median (50th) | $78,350 | −4.8% |
| 75th | $98,170 | +19.3% |
| 90th | $125,590 | +52.6% |
| Mean | $87,370 | +6.2% |
Other metro areas in North Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raleigh | $87,820 | 430 | |
| 2 | Charlotte | $82,020 | 1,110 | |
| 3 | Asheville | $81,550 | 150 | |
| 4 | Wilmington | $81,020 | 200 | |
| 5 | Fayetteville | $80,650 | 110 | |
| 6 | Winston-Salem | $80,250 | 530 | |
| 7 | Greensboro | $80,090 | 290 | |
| 8 | Rocky Mount | $73,830 | 70 | |
| 9 | Greenville | $69,310 | 150 | |
| 10 | Jacksonville | $54,790 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Hickory run 5.7% below the national average, so the median of $78,350 goes as far as $83,086 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 1.0% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$78,350as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$83,086US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $78,350 a year, 4.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $63,900 to $125,590 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 130 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Raleigh, at $87,820.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Respiratory Therapists in Hickory, NC?
The median annual wage is $78,350, or $37.67 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $82,280, so pay in Hickory, NC is 4.8% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Hickory, NC earns more than $125,590 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $63,900 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Raleigh, at $87,820 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 130 jobs in this occupation in Hickory, NC. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. 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.
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