SOC 29-1126 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Respiratory Therapists — South Carolina
South Carolina · 6 metro areas compared
The median wage for Respiratory Therapists in South Carolina is $77,740 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 South Carolina is $77,740 per year, close to the national median of $82,280 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $67,410 and $82,400. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $63,700 and the ninetieth at $90,670.
The area has 1,960 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.8 of every thousand jobs. South Carolina ranks number 40th out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Columbia records the highest median at $79,780. Of the 713 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 182nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $63,700 | −22.6% |
| 25th | $67,410 | −18.1% |
| Median (50th) | $77,740 | −5.5% |
| 75th | $82,400 | +0.1% |
| 90th | $90,670 | +10.2% |
| Mean | $76,490 | −7.0% |
Highest-paying metro areas in South Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia | $79,780 | 330 | |
| 2 | Charleston | $79,410 | 390 | |
| 3 | Florence | $78,550 | 100 | |
| 4 | Greenville | $78,390 | 400 | |
| 5 | Myrtle Beach | $76,440 | 150 | |
| 6 | Spartanburg | $67,700 | 220 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in South Carolina run 6.3% below the national average, so the median of $77,740 goes as far as $82,967 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 0.8% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$77,740as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$82,967US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $77,740 a year, 5.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $63,700 to $90,670 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,960 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 40th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Columbia, at $79,780.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Respiratory Therapists in South Carolina?
The median annual wage is $77,740, or $37.38 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 South Carolina is 5.5% 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 South Carolina earns more than $90,670 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $63,700 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 Columbia, at $79,780 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,960 jobs in this occupation in South Carolina. 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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