As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Respiratory Tech - Certified in the United States is $74,055 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.
However, a Respiratory Tech - Certified's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Respiratory Tech - Certified Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $80,399 | $6,700 | $1,546 | $39 |
| Average | $74,055 | $6,171 | $1,424 | $36 |
| 25th Percentile | $66,856 | $5,571 | $1,286 | $32 |
A Respiratory Tech - Certified'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 Tech - Certified'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 Tech - Certified | $71,691 |
| Intermediate Level Respiratory Tech - Certified | $72,228 |
| Senior Level Respiratory Tech - Certified | $72,981 |
| Specialist Level Respiratory Tech - Certified | $74,244 |
| Expert Level Respiratory Tech - Certified | $76,138 |
Respiratory Tech - Certified salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $78,552. While startup companies pay approximate $66,937.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $66,937 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $70,661 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $75,983 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $78,552 |
Understanding how a Respiratory Tech - Certified'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 | $80,399 | $6,700 | $1,546 | $39 |
| Average | $74,055 | $6,171 | $1,424 | $36 |
| 25th Percentile | $66,856 | $5,571 | $1,286 | $32 |
For a Respiratory Tech - Certified, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Hyperbaric Technician role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $45,498 - a projected growth of -39% over your current level.
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A Respiratory Tech - Certified's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Respiratory Tech - Certified earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Respiratory Tech - Certified is $93,406.
The highest pay for Respiratory Tech - Certified is $86,175.
The lowest pay for Respiratory Tech - Certified is $60,302.
Assists the respiratory therapist in diagnostic testing and treatment implementation for patients with breathing disorders. Conducts pulmonary function tests. Operates and maintains respiratory equipment such as ventilators, oxygen therapy devices, and nebulizers. Monitors patient responses to treatments and documents therapy outcomes. Requires an associate degree. Requires completion of an approved Respiratory Therapy Technician Program. Requires certification from the National Board for Respiratory Therapy. Typically reports to a supervisor. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement.
The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Respiratory Tech - Certified roles, with salaries approximately 8% above the market median.
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