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Respiratory Care Services Director Salary in the United States

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

As of October 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): $147,573
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $111,500 to $135,100
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $102,487
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

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 geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Respiratory Care Services Director Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Services Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $134,400.
  • California: $133,900.
  • Massachusetts: $132,100.

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: $151,400
  • 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.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 7.14%
Acute Care 4.17%
Cardiology 1.79%
See More Skills

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%
Get Latest Data

Respiratory Care Services Director Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Respiratory Care Services Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $128,725. While startup companies pay approximate $109,710.

Respiratory Care Services Director Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $109,710
Growth Stage 51~500 $115,820
Established 501~5000 $124,482
Enterprise 5000+ $128,725

Respiratory Care Services Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Respiratory Care Services Director 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 Services Director positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Respiratory Care Services Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Respiratory Care Services Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$145,680$70.020%

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%
View as Graph

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 October 01, 2026
$111,500
Average $121,400/year
$135,100
$9,292
Average $10,117/month
$11,258
$2,144
Average $2,335/week
$2,598
$54
Average $58/hour
$65
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $135,100 $11,258 $2,598 $65
Average $121,400 $10,117 $2,335 $58
25th Percentile $111,500 $9,292 $2,144 $54

Most common benefits for Respiratory Care Services Director

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

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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FAQ about Respiratory Care Services Director

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Respiratory Care Services Director?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Respiratory Care Services Director roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

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, 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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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