Respiratory Therapist Salary in the United States

How Much Does a Respiratory Therapist make?

Respiratory Therapist made a median salary around $78,754 in April, 2025. The best-paid 25 percent made $85,682 probably that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made around $71,732. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
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Check out Respiratory Therapist jobs in Columbus, Ohio

Respiratory Therapist

Warren Nursing & Rehab - Warren, OH

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Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)

Maximum Health Care Solutions - Lima, OH

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Respiratory Therapist-RT

Apria Healthcare LLC - Valley View, OH

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Respiratory Therapist-Optional

TriHealth - Montgomery, OH

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Best-Paying Cities for Respiratory Therapist

The metropolitan areas that pay the highest salary in the Respiratory Therapist profession are San Jose , San Francisco , Oakland , New York , Queens Village .
San Jose, CA $99,333
San Francisco, CA $98,356
Oakland, CA $96,175
New York, NY $91,268
Queens Village, NY $90,678

Best-Paying States for Respiratory Therapist

The states and districts that pay Respiratory Therapist the highest salary are District of Columbia (around $87,197) , California (around $86,866) , Massachusetts (around $85,708) , Washington (around $85,393) , and New Jersey (around $85,362) .
District of Columbia $87,197
California $86,866
Massachusetts $85,708
Washington $85,393
New Jersey $85,362

What is the Career Path of Respiratory Therapist?

A career path is a sequence of jobs that leads to your short- and long-term career goals. Some follow a linear career path within one field, while others change fields periodically to achieve career or personal goals.

For Respiratory Therapist, the first career path typically progresses to Hyperbaric Technician.

Additionally, the second career path typically starts with a Respiratory Therapy Supervisor position , and then progresses to Respiratory Care Manager.

Besides, Respiratory Therapist can also turn to other related jobs, including Registered Respiratory Therapist , Certified Respiratory Therapist , Respiratory Care Therapist and Respiratory Therapist Assistant .

Frequently Asked Questions for Respiratory Therapist

Q: What is the salary range of Respiratory Therapist?
A: In 2025 , the lowest-paid Respiratory Therapist earned an average annual salary of $71,732 , while the highest-paid made $85,682.
Q: What is the salary for a Respiratory Therapist in California?
A: Respiratory Therapist employed in California earned an average salary of $86,866 in 2025.

Average Respiratory Therapist Pay vs. Other Jobs

Respiratory Therapist earned an average salary of $78,754 in 2025. Other jobs related to Respiratory Therapist earned the following average salary in April, 2025. Registered Respiratory Therapist made $73,874 , Certified Respiratory Therapist made $73,874 , Respiratory Care Therapist and Respiratory Therapist Assistant made $73,880 and $56,357 respectively .

Relevant Jobs of Respiratory Therapist

Registered Respiratory Therapist - Average Salary $73,874
Assists in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of patients with pulmonary disorders. Collects and analyzes sputum, blood, and breath specimens to determine levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other gases. Also measures the lung capacity of a patient to determine if there is impaired function. Administers treatment prescribed by a physician for the care of patients with abnormalities associated with the process of breathing. Assumes primary responsibility for respiratory care treatments, including oversight of respiratory therapy technicians. Requires an associate degree. Requires Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) certification. Requires State License to Practice. Typically reports to a manager. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement.
Certified Respiratory Therapist - Average Salary $73,874
Assists in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of patients with pulmonary disorders. Collects and analyzes sputum, blood, and breath specimens to determine levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other gases. Also measures the lung capacity of a patient to determine if there is an impairment. Requires an associate degree and a credential of Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT). May be expected to maintain a CPR certification. Typically reports to a manager. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement.
Respiratory Care Therapist - Average Salary $73,880
The Respiratory Care Therapist collects and analyzes sputum, blood, and breath specimens to determine levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other gases. Assists in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of patients with pulmonary disorders. Being a Respiratory Care Therapist requires an associate's degree and a credential of Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT). Also measures the lung capacity of a patient to determine if there is an impairment. In addition, Respiratory Care Therapist may be expected to maintain a CPR certification. Typically reports to a manager. Respiratory Care Therapist's years of experience requirement may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement.
Respiratory Therapist Assistant - Average Salary $56,357
A respiratory therapist is a specialized healthcare practitioner trained in pulmonary medicine in order to work therapeutically with people suffering from pulmonary disease. Respiratory therapists graduate from a community college or university with a certification in respiratory therapy and have passed a national board certifying examination. The NBRC (National Board for Respiratory Care) is the not-for-profit organization responsible for credentionaling the seven areas of Respiratory Therapy. Those seven areas of Respiratory Therapy include, as of December 2017: CRT (Certified Respiratory Therapist), RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist), CPFT and RPFT (Certified or Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist), ACCS (Adult Critical Care Specialist), NPS (Neonatal/Pediatric Specialist), and SDS (Sleep Disorder Specialist). Respiratory therapists work in hospitals in the intensive care units (Adult, Pediatric, and Neonatal), on hospital floors, in Emergency Departments, in Pulmonay Functioning laboratories (PFTs), are able to intubate patients, work in sleep labs (polysomnograpy) (PSG) labs, and in home care specifically DME (Durable Medical Equipment) and home oxygen.
Pediatric Respiratory Therapist - Average Salary $82,297
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