The average salary for a respiratory therapist is $54,000 per year. This includes all experience levels, from entry-level positions to those who have been in the field for decades. The median annual salary for respiratory therapists is $53,500 per year.
Respiratory therapists can also earn additional income by working overtime hours or taking on extra side jobs such as teaching classes or providing private therapy sessions. Some therapists also choose to work at more than one job in order to make more money or take time off from their primary position and still receive compensation from their employer.
The average annual salary for a respiratory therapist is $72,720. This is the median salary, which means that half of respiratory therapists make more than this amount and half make less. The lowest 10% earn around $51,040 per year, while the highest 10% earn over $89,840 per year.
Annual Salary For Respiratory Therapist
A Respiratory Therapist is a medical professional who provides therapeutic treatments and carries out diagnostic procedures, among many other high-skill activities. Moreover, Respiratory Therapists are in charge of taking care of patients who are receiving mechanical ventilation (life support), so it’s no wonder that a Respiratory Therapist should earn a hefty salary.
The good news is, a Respiratory Therapist does get paid relatively well. But how much exactly do they earn?
How Much Does a Respiratory Therapist Make?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, average salary for a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) in the United States in 2021 is:
With that said, on average, most Respiratory Therapist’s earn between $54,000 and $75,000. There are, of course, outliers in either direction. Some may earn more, and some may earn less. This range is just the average median salary.
Keep in mind that there are several factors to consider that determine the salary of a Respiratory Therapist.
What Influences the Salary of a Respiratory Therapist?
The earning potential of a Respiratory Therapist depends on qualification, experience, location, and type of employer.
So, if you’re looking to get paid as a respiratory therapist, you must undergo the necessary training and obtain the relevant qualifications. Speaking of qualifications, the minimum requirement for the job is a two-year associate degree from an accredited educational program.
Prospective students are lucky because there are multiple Respiratory Therapy Schools to choose from in each state.
Does Location Affect the Salary of a Respiratory Therapist?
To give a brief answer to this question:
Absolutely!
Respiratory Therapists in some states earn a higher salary than those in other locations in the United States. For instance, a Respiratory Therapist working in California, Texas, and Florida earn, on average, much higher salaries than those in other states.
There are also states that earn significantly less than the average as well. Such states include Alabama, West Virginia, Kentucky, North Dakota, Iowa, and Mississippi.
We will discuss the salaries of the remaining states below, so keep reading.
What are the Highest Paying States for Respiratory Therapists?
As it turns out, location is the biggest variable that influences the salary and wages of a Respiratory Therapist. Sure, there are other factors that come into play such as experience.
However, on a broad scale, the area in which you live and work makes all the difference.
Here is a list of the highest and lowest-paying states to work as a Respiratory Therapist, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Highest Paying States to Work as a Respiratory Therapist:
| State | Average Salary |
| California | $85,620 |
| New York | $80,400 |
| Hawaii | $77,310 |
| Nevada | $75,670 |
| Massachusetts | $75,650 |
As you can see, California offers the highest wages for Respiratory Therapists with New York, Hawaii, Nevada, and Massachusetts offering higher salaries on average as well.
Lowest Paying States to Work as a Respiratory Therapist:
| State | Average Salary |
| Kentucky | $50,300 |
| Alabama | $50,790 |
| Mississippi | $50,990 |
| West Virginia | $51,250 |
| South Dakota | $52,870 |
The state of Kentucky offers the lowest wages for Respiratory Therapists with Alabama, Mississippi, West Virginia, and South Dakota averaging low median salaries as well.
Respiratory Therapist Salary Listed by State:
| State | Average Salary |
| Alabama | $50,790 |
| Alaska | $74,380 |
| Arizona | $60,220 |
| Arkansas | $55,480 |
| California | $85,620 |
| Colorado | $65,690 |
| Connecticut | $71,450 |
| District of Columbia | $81,470 |
| Delaware | $67,040 |
| Florida | $59,580 |
| Georgia | $57,380 |
| Hawaii | $77,310 |
| Idaho | $59,780 |
| Illinois | $60,160 |
| Indiana | $59,270 |
| Iowa | $55,480 |
| Kansas | $58,040 |
| Kentucky | $50,300 |
| Louisiana | $55,650 |
| Maine | $61,050 |
| Maryland | $69,920 |
| Massachusetts | $75,650 |
| Michigan | $59,920 |
| Minnesota | $71,280 |
| Mississippi | $50,990 |
| Missouri | $56,520 |
| Montana | $59,480 |
| Nebraska | $58,960 |
| Nevada | $75,670 |
| New Hampshire | $70,800 |
| New Jersey | $74,590 |
| New Mexico | $58,020 |
| New York | $80,400 |
| North Carolina | $59,040 |
| North Dakota | $61,570 |
| Ohio | $59,380 |
| Oklahoma | $57,940 |
| Oregon | $72,200 |
| Pennsylvania | $58,57 |
