As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Certified Respiratory Therapist in Kentucky is $69,524 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.
However, a Certified Respiratory Therapist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Certified Respiratory Therapist Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $75,425 | $6,285 | $1,450 | $36 |
| Average | $69,524 | $5,794 | $1,337 | $33 |
| 25th Percentile | $62,160 | $5,180 | $1,195 | $30 |
Ronan HR Solutions, Inc. - Glasgow, KY
Ronan HR Solutions, Inc. - Owenton, KY
Ronan HR Solutions, Inc. - Mount Sterling, KY
CommonSpirit Health - London, KY
A Certified Respiratory Therapist'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 Certified Respiratory Therapist'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 Certified Respiratory Therapist | $67,106 |
| Intermediate Level Certified Respiratory Therapist | $67,326 |
| Senior Level Certified Respiratory Therapist | $69,964 |
| Specialist Level Certified Respiratory Therapist | $72,430 |
| Expert Level Certified Respiratory Therapist | $72,607 |
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 Certified Respiratory Therapists. 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:
Understanding how a Certified Respiratory Therapist'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 | $75,425 | $6,285 | $1,450 | $36 |
| Average | $69,524 | $5,794 | $1,337 | $33 |
| 25th Percentile | $62,160 | $5,180 | $1,195 | $30 |
For a Certified Respiratory Therapist, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Respiratory Therapy Supervisor role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $89,419 - a projected growth of 29% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Certified Respiratory Therapist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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