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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Respiratory Therapy Technician in California is $81,690 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $39.
However, a Respiratory Therapy Technician's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Respiratory Therapy Technician Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $88,690 | $7,391 | $1,706 | $43 |
| Average | $81,690 | $6,808 | $1,571 | $39 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,790 | $6,149 | $1,419 | $35 |
Genie Healthcare - Soledad, CA
Bestica Healthcare - Willits, CA
Health Specialists - Arcata, CA
3B Healthcare, Inc. - Willits, CA
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.
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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Respiratory Therapy Technician | $79,114 |
| Intermediate Level Respiratory Therapy Technician | $79,706 |
| Senior Level Respiratory Therapy Technician | $80,536 |
| Specialist Level Respiratory Therapy Technician | $81,929 |
| Expert Level Respiratory Therapy Technician | $84,003 |
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 Therapy Technicians. 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 Therapy Technician salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $86,650. While startup companies pay approximate $73,838.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $73,838 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $77,946 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $83,817 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $86,650 |
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.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $88,225 | $42.0 | 8% |
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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $88,690 | $7,391 | $1,706 | $43 |
| Average | $81,690 | $6,808 | $1,571 | $39 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,790 | $6,149 | $1,419 | $35 |
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 $50,200 - a projected growth of -39% over your current level.
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.
3B Healthcare, Inc.
Lodi, CA
3B Healthcare, Inc. | Lodi, CA
Respiratory Therapy Specialty: CRT/RRT Job Type: Travel. Centered in the heart of San Joaquin County, Adventist Health Lodi Memorial has been one of the ar... more
4 Days Ago
3B Healthcare, Inc.
Templeton, CA
3B Healthcare, Inc. | Templeton, CA
Travel Respiratory Therapist (RRT). Located in Templeton amongst the oak trees, Adventist Health Twin Cities has been serving northern San Luis Obispo Coun... more
4 Days Ago
3B Healthcare, Inc.
Los Angeles, CA
3B Healthcare, Inc. | Los Angeles, CA
Respiratory Therapy Specialty: RRT Job Type: Travel. Minimum Guaranteed Hours: 36 Jobs Notes: Night Shift. Requirements. They must have neonatal intubation... more
4 Days Ago
Veracity Solutions
Redwood City, CA
Veracity Solutions | Redwood City, CA
Manager, Respiratory Therapy. To lead inpatient respiratory care services in a unionized hospital environment. This onsite leadership role is responsible f... more
3 Days Ago
Carrington College
Visalia, CA
Carrington College | Visalia, CA
Instructor Position. The instructor position plays a critical role in the teaching and learning process, ensuring that students achieve mastery of course, ... more
4 Days Ago
American Career College
Ontario, CA
American Career College | Ontario, CA
Come care with us at American Career College. As a Respiratory Therapist faculty member for a certified Great Place to Work, you will guide our respiratory... more
6 Days Ago
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