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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Respiratory Care Practitioner in Louisiana is $70,300 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $34.
However, a Respiratory Care Practitioner's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Respiratory Care Practitioner Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $76,200 | $6,350 | $1,465 | $37 |
| Average | $70,300 | $5,858 | $1,352 | $34 |
| 25th Percentile | $62,800 | $5,233 | $1,208 | $30 |
Optum - Lafayette, LA
Terrebonne General Medical Center - Houma, LA
Opelousas General Health System - Opelousas, LA
Korzen Health - Alexandria, LA
A Respiratory Care Practitioner's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Respiratory Care Practitioner's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Respiratory Care Practitioner | $67,829 |
| Intermediate Level Respiratory Care Practitioner | $68,050 |
| Senior Level Respiratory Care Practitioner | $70,704 |
| Specialist Level Respiratory Care Practitioner | $73,168 |
| Expert Level Respiratory Care Practitioner | $73,344 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Respiratory Care Practitioners. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
Respiratory Care Practitioner salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $74,569. While startup companies pay approximate $63,543.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $63,543 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $67,078 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $72,130 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $74,569 |
For Respiratory Care Practitioner roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Respiratory Care Practitioner positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Respiratory Care Practitioner as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $84,360 | $41.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Respiratory Care Practitioner's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $76,200 | $6,350 | $1,465 | $37 |
| Average | $70,300 | $5,858 | $1,352 | $34 |
| 25th Percentile | $62,800 | $5,233 | $1,208 | $30 |
For a Respiratory Care Practitioner, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Respiratory Care Services Supervisor role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $90,500 - a projected growth of 29% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Respiratory Care Practitioner job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
UnitedHealth Group
Monroe, LA
UnitedHealth Group | Monroe, LA
Certified Nurse Practitioner Opportunity. At UnitedHealthcare, we're simplifying the health care experience, creating healthier communities and removing ba... more
5 Days Ago
The Urgent Care
New Orleans, LA
The Urgent Care | New Orleans, LA
Job Opportunity. The Urgent Care is currently seeking a qualified and compassionate Physician Assistant (PA) or Nurse Practitioner (NP) to join our clinica... more
6 Days Ago
Ochsner Health System
New Orleans, LA
Ochsner Health System | New Orleans, LA
We've made a lot of progress since opening the doors in 1942, but one thing has never changed - our commitment to serve, heal, lead, educate, and innovate.... more
2 Days Ago
Aya Locums
New Orleans, LA
Aya Locums | New Orleans, LA
Work Details:Support staff: Nursing, RT, NCC attending, +/- additional APPsAmount of coverage needed per month: 3 night shifts per weekPatients per day: 10... more
6 Days Ago
UnitedHealthcare
New Orleans, LA
UnitedHealthcare | New Orleans, LA
Join Our Team at UnitedHealthcare. At UnitedHealthcare, we're simplifying the health care experience, creating healthier communities and removing barriers ... more
2 Days Ago
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System
Bogalusa, LA
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System | Bogalusa, LA
Respiratory Care Assistant. The Respiratory Assistant cleans and disinfects patient equipment, sterilizes reusable equipment prior to reuse, assembles and ... more
3 Days Ago
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