Respiratory Care Services Director Salary in the United States

How much does a Respiratory Care Services Director make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Respiratory Care Services Director in the United States is $121,400 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $58.

However, a Respiratory Care Services Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $147,764
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $111,200 to $135,200
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $101,913
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View as table View as graph 25% $111,200 10% $101,913 90% $147,764 75% $135,200 $121,400 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Respiratory Care Services Director Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $135,200 $11,267 $2,600 $65
Average $121,400 $10,117 $2,335 $58
25th Percentile $111,200 $9,267 $2,138 $53
Check out Respiratory Care Services Director Job Openings in the United States
Director of Nursing Services RN

VALLEY VISTA CARE--ST. MARIES - SAINT MARIES, ID

Respiratory Therapist

UW Health Care Direct - MIDDLETON, WI

Respiratory Therapist PRN

Respire Homecare Services/Aeratech Medical - HILLIARD, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Respiratory Care Services Director Salaries

A Respiratory Care Services Director'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Respiratory Care Services Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Respiratory Care Services Director'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:

  • ECMO Specialist (4-7 years): $82,963
  • Respiratory Care Services Supervisor (7+ years): $95,025
  • Respiratory Care Services Manager (7+ years): $108,011
  • Respiratory Care Services Director (7+ years): $121,305
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
ECMO Specialist4-7 years$82,963
Respiratory Care Services Supervisor7+ years$95,025
Respiratory Care Services Manager7+ years$108,011
Respiratory Care Services Director7+ years$121,305
$82,963 ECMO Spec...
$95,025 Respirato...
$108,011 Respirato...
$121,305 Respirato...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Respiratory Care Services Directors

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:

  • San Jose: $153,100
  • San Francisco: $151,500
  • Oakland: $148,200

What Skills Can Increase a Respiratory Care Services Director's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 7.14% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • Acute Care (Mentioned in 4.17% Job Postings): Acute care is a branch of secondary health care where a patient receives active but short-term treatment for a severe injury or episode of illness, an urgent medical condition, or during recovery from surgery. In medical terms, care for acute health conditions is the opposite from chronic care, or longer term care. Acute care services are generally delivered by teams of health care professionals from a range of medical and surgical specialties. Acute care may require a stay in a hospital emergency department, ambulatory surgery center, urgent care centre or other short-term stay facility, along with the assistance of diagnostic services, surgery, or follow-up outpatient care in the community. Hospital-based acute inpatient care typically has the goal of discharging patients as soon as they are deemed healthy and stable. Acute care settings include emergency department, intensive care, coronary care, cardiology, neonatal intensive care, and many general areas where the patient could become acutely unwell and require stabilization and transfer to another higher dependency unit for further treatment.
  • Cardiology (Mentioned in 1.79% Job Postings): Cardiology deals with the diagnosis and treatment of such conditions as congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, electrophysiology, heart failure and valvular heart disease.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 7.14%
Acute Care 4.17%
Cardiology 1.79%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Respiratory Care Services Director's salary.
  • Motivating: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Troubleshooting: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Empowerment: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Motivating
$139,610
15%
Troubleshooting
$138,396
14%
Empowerment
$137,182
13%
Cardiology
$131,112
8%
Initiative
$129,898
7%
Written Communication
$129,898
7%
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How Education impacts a Respiratory Care Services Director's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Respiratory Care Services Directors enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Respiratory Care Services Director with a Bachelor's Degree is between $118,501 and $126,178).

Respiratory Care Services Director Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Respiratory Care Services Director
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.7%
High School 4.3%
Associates 34.8%
Bachelors 39.1%
Masters 21.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Respiratory Care Services Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Respiratory Care Services Director'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.

Last Updated on January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Respiratory Care Services Director

Salaries for a Respiratory Care Services Director can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $135,039 in 2023 to around $130,248 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Respiratory Care Services Director salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Respiratory Care Services Director Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$135,039
2024
$132,624
2025
$130,248
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $135,039
2024 $132,624
2025 $130,248
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Respiratory Care Services Director

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Respiratory Care Services Director

Here are companies hiring for Respiratory Care Services Director and their salaries, click below for more details.

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Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Respiratory Care Services Director job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about Respiratory Care Services Director

1. What is the highest level of respiratory therapist?

After successfully passing the Clinical Simulation Examination, you will be awarded the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential, which is the highest level credential of professional practice in this field. As a Respiratory Care Services Director, you can expect a salary ranging from $112,100 to $141,900, with a median salary of $125,100.

2. What is the highest level of respiratory therapist?

After successfully passing the Clinical Simulation Examination, you will be awarded the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential, the highest level of professional practice in this field. As a Respiratory Care Services Director, you can expect a salary ranging from $112,100 to $141,900, with a median salary of $125,100.

3. How many hours do directors work?

Directors of Respiratory Care Services typically work full time, often exceeding 40 hours per week due to the demands of their role. Their schedules can vary significantly, reflecting the need to meet organizational goals and patient care standards. The salary for this position ranges from $112,100 to $141,900, with a midpoint of $125,100.

4. What does a respiratory director do?

As a leader in the respiratory therapy department, the Director oversees daily operations, contributes to strategic planning, staff training, and policy development. The role typically offers a salary range from $112,100 to $141,900, with a midpoint of $125,100, reflecting the importance and expertise required in this position.

5. Can you make 6 figures as a respiratory therapist?

Yes, you can make six figures as a Respiratory Care Services Director. The salary data indicates a minimum of $112,100, a mid-range of $125,100, and a maximum of $141,900. With experience and additional responsibilities, many professionals in this role can achieve or exceed these figures, especially in high-demand areas.

6. Is a respiratory therapist an MD?

Respiratory therapists are certified medical professionals specializing in lung and breathing issues. They are not medical doctors (MDs) but collaborate closely with physicians to diagnose and monitor patients. The salary for a Respiratory Care Services Director ranges from $112,100 to $141,900, with a median salary of $125,100.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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