Respiratory Therapy Technician Salary in the United States

How much does a Respiratory Therapy Technician make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Respiratory Therapy Technician in the United States is $74,090 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.

However, a Respiratory Therapy Technician's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $86,126
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $66,890 to $80,390
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $60,335
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View as table View as graph 25% $66,890 10% $60,335 90% $86,126 75% $80,390 $74,090 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Respiratory Therapy Technician Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $80,390 $6,699 $1,546 $39
Average $74,090 $6,174 $1,425 $36
25th Percentile $66,890 $5,574 $1,286 $32
Check out Respiratory Therapy Technician Job Openings in the United States
Respiratory Therapy

INFOJINI - Columbus, OH

Respiratory Therapy

Vibra Travels - Columbus, OH

Respiratory Therapy

INFOJINI - Columbus, OH

Travel Respiratory Therapy RRT in

Medical Solutions - Columbus, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Respiratory Therapy Technician Salaries

A Respiratory Therapy Technician'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.

How Experience Level Affects Respiratory Therapy Technician Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Respiratory Therapy Technician'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $71,726
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $72,263
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $73,015
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $74,278
  • Expert (over 8 years): $76,159
Levels Salary
Entry Level Respiratory Therapy Technician$71,726
Intermediate Level Respiratory Therapy Technician$72,263
Senior Level Respiratory Therapy Technician$73,015
Specialist Level Respiratory Therapy Technician$74,278
Expert Level Respiratory Therapy Technician$76,159
$71,726 0 yr
$72,263 < 2 yrs
$73,015 2-4 yrs
$74,278 5-8 yrs
$76,159 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Respiratory Therapy Technicians

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: $93,490
  • San Francisco: $92,390
  • Oakland: $90,490

Respiratory Therapy Technician Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Respiratory Therapy Technician salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $78,589. While startup companies pay approximate $66,969.

Respiratory Therapy Technician Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$66,969
Growth Stage51~500$70,695
Established501~5000$76,019
Enterprise5000+$78,589

Respiratory Therapy Technician Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Respiratory Therapy Technician roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 16% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 8% above the average. Conversely, Respiratory Therapy Technician positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Respiratory Therapy Technician as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Respiratory Therapy Technician

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$80,017$38.08%

Respiratory Therapy Technician Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Respiratory Therapy Technician'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 August 01, 2026

Respiratory Therapy Technician Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Respiratory Therapy Technician, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the HBO Technician role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $45,500 - a projected growth of -39% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Respiratory Therapy Technician

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Respiratory Therapy Technician

Here are companies hiring for Respiratory Therapy Technician and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Respiratory Therapy Technician Job

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

United States
  • OhioHealth

    Columbus, OH

    OhioHealth | Columbus, OH

    Respiratory Technician. We are more than a health system. We are a belief system. We believe wellness and sickness are both part of a lifelong partnership,... more

    2 Days Ago

  • Magnolia Therapy Solutions

    Columbus, OH

    Magnolia Therapy Solutions | Columbus, OH

    ABOUT THE ROLE Magnolia Therapy Solutions is hiring a Pediatric Autism Therapy Technician in the Polaris/Columbus area.This is a great opportunity for some... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Assured Nursing

    Columbus, OH

    Assured Nursing | Columbus, OH

    Respiratory Therapist. Job Type: Local Profession. Specialty: Respiratory Therapy. Weekly Pay: $2,232. Shift Details: 7p-7:30a. Job Order Details: Start Da... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Magnet Medical

    Columbus, OH

    Magnet Medical | Columbus, OH

    Respiratory Therapist. Travel offering allied profession therapy specialty. Regular pay rate $16. Shift details: 12 hour nights. Job order details: start d... more

    3 Days Ago

  • MD Staff, LLC

    Columbus, OH

    MD Staff, LLC | Columbus, OH

    Emergency Medicine Physician Needed near Columbus, Ohio. An excellent opportunity for a full-time EM Physician to join an Emergency Department team near Co... more

    1 Day Ago

  • Continuum Medical Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    Continuum Medical Staffing | Columbus, OH

    PSYCHIATRIST- CHILD/ADOLESCENT COLUMBUS OHIO We are seeking a Board-Certified Child/ Adolescent Psychiatrist for a permanent position in Columbus Ohio No V... more

    2 Days Ago

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FAQ about Respiratory Therapy Technician

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Respiratory Therapy Technician?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Respiratory Therapy Technician roles, with salaries approximately 8% above the market median.

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.)

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