SOC 29-1126 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Respiratory Therapists — Missouri
Missouri · 8 metro areas compared
The median wage for Respiratory Therapists in Missouri is $78,390 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 Missouri is $78,390 per year, close to the national median of $82,280 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $64,800 and $83,030. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $60,950 and the ninetieth at $95,730.
Employment stands at 3,030, or 1.0 jobs per thousand held locally. Missouri ranks number 39th out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, St. Louis records the highest median at $79,210. Of the 733 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 173rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $60,950 | −25.9% |
| 25th | $64,800 | −21.2% |
| Median (50th) | $78,390 | −4.7% |
| 75th | $83,030 | +0.9% |
| 90th | $95,730 | +16.3% |
| Mean | $76,490 | −7.0% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Missouri
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St. Louis | $79,210 | 1,260 | |
| 2 | Kansas City | $79,140 | 1,190 | |
| 3 | Jefferson City | $77,500 | 50 | |
| 4 | St. Joseph | $73,860 | 50 | |
| 5 | Springfield | $72,490 | 310 | |
| 6 | Columbia | $69,400 | 150 | |
| 7 | Cape Girardeau | $66,910 | 90 | |
| 8 | Joplin | $65,630 | 150 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Missouri run 9.2% below the national average, so the median of $78,390 goes as far as $86,333 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 4.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$78,390as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$86,333US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $78,390 a year, 4.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $60,950 to $95,730 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 3,030 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 39th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is St. Louis, at $79,210.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Respiratory Therapists in Missouri?
The median annual wage is $78,390, or $37.69 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 Missouri is 4.7% 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 Missouri earns more than $95,730 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $60,950 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 St. Louis, at $79,210 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 3,030 jobs in this occupation in Missouri. 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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