Respiratory Therapists Salary (2025)
Based on 139,790 employed workers · BLS OEWS May 2025
Salary Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual |
|---|---|
10th Percentile Bottom 10% | $63,660 |
25th Percentile Lower quarter | $74,520 |
50th PercentileMedian Median | $82,280 |
75th Percentile Upper quarter | $98,730 |
90th Percentile Top 10% | $118,050 |
Salary Distribution
Annual Salary Range
10th
$64K
25th
$75K
Median
$82K
75th
$99K
90th
$118K
Highest Paying States for Respiratory Therapists
States with highest average wages · BLS May 2025
| State | Annual Mean |
|---|---|
| New York | $110,200 |
| California | $109,440 |
| District of Columbia | $108,020 |
| Massachusetts | $100,580 |
| New Jersey | $99,760 |
| Washington | $99,740 |
| Oregon | $98,160 |
| Minnesota | $96,890 |
| Alaska | $96,290 |
| New Hampshire | $93,700 |
Geographic Salary Variation
Respiratory Therapists salaries vary significantly across the United States. The highest paying state is New York at an average of $110,200 per year, while New Hampshire has an average of $93,700 — a difference of $16,500. These geographic differences reflect variations in cost of living, demand, and local labor market conditions.
Highest Paying Metro Areas
Top cities by average annual wage
About Respiratory Therapists
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 139,790 workers were employed as Respiratory Therapistss in the United States as of May 2025. This occupation is classified under Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations. The annual mean wage of $87,300 reflects data from employer surveys conducted by BLS.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 · SOC Code: 29-1126