Respiratory Therapists Salary — US State Breakdown (2025)
✓ Sourced directly from BLS OES · Checked for accuracy at every rebuild · Last updated: 2026-09-02
BLS OES May 2025 · SOC 29-1126As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.
US Salary Overview
The national median wage for respiratory therapists in the United States is $82,280 per year (gross, before tax), based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). Around 140,000 people are employed in this occupation nationally. UK data is not available for this occupation — the UK's SOC 2020 classification has no direct equivalent. Signing an offer? Employment contract templates at LawDepot cover offer letters, NDAs and employment agreements.
US Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual (gross) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $63,660 | Entry level / lowest decile |
| 25th | $74,520 | Early career |
| 50th (median) | $82,280 | Typical pay |
| 75th | $98,730 | Experienced |
| 90th | $118,050 | Senior / highest decile |
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Start $1 Trial →Median Salary by State
| State | Median salary | Mean salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $111,950 | $108,020 | 430 |
| New York | $107,810 | $110,200 | 7,000 |
| California | $104,820 | $109,440 | 19,000 |
| Massachusetts | $102,170 | $100,580 | 2,000 |
| Washington | $101,130 | $99,740 | 2,000 |
| New Jersey | $100,810 | $99,760 | 3,000 |
| Oregon | $100,560 | $98,160 | 1,000 |
| Minnesota | $98,710 | $96,890 | 1,000 |
| Alaska | $97,950 | $96,290 | 180 |
| New Hampshire | $95,940 | $93,700 | 360 |
| Hawaii | $94,210 | $93,380 | 510 |
| Delaware | $91,080 | $92,190 | 500 |
| Maryland | $88,960 | $90,600 | 2,000 |
| Rhode Island | $86,900 | $93,410 | 260 |
| Colorado | $86,220 | $88,300 | 2,000 |
| Nevada | $85,480 | $90,530 | 1,000 |
| Connecticut | $85,230 | $92,510 | 1,000 |
| Wisconsin | $84,210 | $86,230 | 2,000 |
| Illinois | $84,090 | $84,920 | 5,000 |
| Vermont | $83,820 | $84,640 | 210 |
| Georgia | $83,700 | $88,340 | 5,000 |
| Virginia | $82,910 | $87,310 | 3,000 |
| Maine | $82,470 | $80,400 | 520 |
| Nebraska | $81,590 | $80,710 | 840 |
| North Dakota | $81,230 | $84,710 | 270 |
| Montana | $81,190 | $77,850 | 390 |
| Florida | $81,160 | $82,400 | 9,000 |
| Utah | $80,650 | $80,500 | 1,000 |
| North Carolina | $80,090 | $81,360 | 5,000 |
| Ohio | $79,920 | $81,240 | 7,000 |
| Michigan | $79,850 | $78,550 | 5,000 |
| Arizona | $79,780 | $80,980 | 4,000 |
| Indiana | $79,730 | $78,190 | 3,000 |
| Texas | $79,540 | $81,010 | 12,000 |
| Wyoming | $79,330 | $76,980 | 160 |
| Oklahoma | $78,800 | $77,710 | 2,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $78,490 | $78,180 | 7,000 |
| Idaho | $78,460 | $78,370 | 820 |
| Missouri | $78,390 | $76,490 | 3,000 |
| South Carolina | $77,740 | $76,490 | 2,000 |
| Kansas | $76,970 | $74,860 | 1,000 |
| Louisiana | $75,240 | $74,690 | 3,000 |
| Iowa | $74,760 | $74,260 | 910 |
| Arkansas | $73,870 | $72,740 | 1,000 |
| Kentucky | $72,750 | $72,470 | 3,000 |
| Tennessee | $72,140 | $72,300 | 3,000 |
| New Mexico | $68,870 | $73,720 | 840 |
| West Virginia | $68,670 | $71,970 | 1,000 |
| South Dakota | $68,240 | $68,910 | 430 |
| Alabama | $66,150 | $68,480 | 2,000 |
| Mississippi | $63,270 | $68,120 | 2,000 |
| Puerto Rico | $35,000 | $49,980 | 800 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a respiratory therapists in the US?
The US national median wage for respiratory therapists is $82,280 per year (gross, before tax), based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
What is the pay range for respiratory therapists in the US?
Pay ranges from $63,660 at the 10th percentile to $118,050 at the 90th percentile. This difference typically reflects experience level, employer size, and location.
Which US states pay respiratory therapists the most?
The highest-paying states for respiratory therapists include District of Columbia ($111,950), New York ($107,810), California ($104,820). Pay varies by state due to cost of living, local demand and industry concentration.
How much does respiratory therapists salary vary by state?
The gap between the highest- and lowest-paying states is significant — District of Columbia ($111,950) pays roughly 220% more than Puerto Rico ($35,000). Check the state breakdown above for the exact figure in your location.
Data: BLS OES, May 2025 · Page built 2026-09-02