Table of Contents
What is the average salary for a respiratory therapist?What is the entry-level salary for a new respiratory therapist?What are the highest-paying settings for respiratory therapists?Do travel respiratory therapists make more money than non-traveling?Can respiratory therapists increase their salary with a certification?Respiratory Therapist Job Description
A respiratory therapist (RT) specializes in the treatment of patients with a breathing or cardiopulmonary disorder. They may work with all ages including premature infants with underdeveloped lungs to elderly patients with COPD, asthma, and emphysema. Their primary responsibilities include the assessment and treatment of breathing disorders, the performance of tests to evaluate lungs, and manage life support.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the demand for respiratory therapists is projected to grow 13% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. 8,600 respiratory therapist jobs are expected each year. The growth is due to a rise in the rates of chronic respiratory conditions, an increase in the survival rates of premature babies who require care, and an increase in outpatient care centers and home care.
Top 5 Highest and Lowest Paying States for Respiratory Therapist Jobs in the US
The salary for a respiratory therapist is influenced by the demand for practitioners, the cost of living, and regional economic conditions. According to Zippia, the highest and lowest paying states for physical therapists are as follows:
Top 5 Highest Paying States for Respiratory Therapists:
1. California
2. Nevada
3. Washington
4. New York
5. New Jersey
Top 5 Lowest Paying States for Respiratory Therapists:
1. Rhode Island
2. New Mexico
3. Arkansas
4. Wyoming
5. Maine
The state data varies between resources.
- Historical Data (Salary Outlook) For Salary Median
** Chart from https://www.zippia.com/salaries/respiratory-therapist/#salary-history-line-chart
- Median salary, Entry-level salary, Average salary
The salary for a respiratory therapist in the U.S. is influenced by the state, their experience, and the setting. An entry-level salary for a physical therapist can range between $65,000-$75,000/ year. The median salary for a therapist is $95,000 per year, and the average salary ranges from $90,000-$105,000 per year. Travel therapists are in high demand for crisis/seasonal coverage and in rural areas. Top earner salaries can be $120,000 + stipends. Those with additional certifications like RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist) or ACLS/PALS/NPS can earn even more.
- Average Respiratory Therapist Salary by State (for non-traveling therapists)
| State | Annual Salary | Weekly Salary | Hourly Wage |
| Alabama | $51,746 | $995 | $24.88 |
| Alaska | $69,991 | $1,346 | $33.65 |
| Arizona | $52,822 | $1,016 | $25.40 |
| Arkansas | $41,765 | $803 | $20.08 |
| California | $76,450 | $1,470 | $36.75 |
| Colorado | $55,749 | $1,072 | $26.80 |
| Connecticut | $55,309 | $1,064 | $26.59 |
| Delaware | $52,691 | $1,013 | $25.33 |
| Florida | $54,422 | $1,047 | $26.16 |
| Georgia | $54,302 | $1,044 | $26.11 |
| Hawaii | $68,702 | $1,321 | $33.03 |
| Idaho | $60,735 | $1,168 | $29.20 |
| Illinois | $55,689 | $1,071 | $26.77 |
| Indiana | $53,749 | $1,034 | $25.84 |
| Iowa | $48,798 | $938 | $23.46 |
| Kansas | $53,246 | $1,024 | $25.60 |
| Kentucky | $46,570 | $896 | $22.39 |
| Louisiana | $56,865 | $1,094 | $27.34 |
| Maine | $40,166 | $772 | $19.31 |
| Maryland | $61,159 | $1,176 | $29.40 |
| Massachusetts | $51,960 | $999 | $24.98 |
| Michigan | $54,026 | $1,039 | $25.97 |
| Minnesota | $57,802 | $1,111 | $27.79 |
| Mississippi | $51,753 | $995 | $24.88 |
| Missouri | $51,921 | $998 | $24.96 |
| Montana | $54,648 | $1,051 | $26.27 |
| Nebraska | $50,007 | $962 | $24.04 |
| Nevada | $67,530 | $1,299 | $32.47 |
| New Hampshire | $48,050 | $924 | $23.10 |
| New Jersey | $62,836 | $1,208 | $30.21 |
| New Mexico | $46,001 | $885 | $22.12 |
| New York | $69,597 | $1,338 | $33.46 |
| North Carolina | $54,347 | $1,045 | $26.13 |
| North Dakota | $52,466 | $1,009 | $25.22 |
| Ohio | $51,552 | $991 | $24.78 |
| Oklahoma | $54,494 | $1,048 | $26.20 |
| Oregon | $63,168 | $1,215 | $30.37 |
| Pennsylvania | $50,377 | $968 | $24.22 |
| Rhode Island | $43,015 | $827 | $20.68 |
| South Carolina | $60,096 | $1,156 | $28.89 |
| South Dakota | $52,720 | $1,014 | $25.35 |
| Tennessee | $54,431 | $1,047 | $26.17 |
| Texas | $54,638 | $1,051 | $26.27 |
| Utah | $54,331 | $1,045 | $26.12 |
| Vermont | $47,914 | $921 | $23.04 |
| Virginia | $56,991 | $1,096 | $27.40 |
| Washington | $66,040 | $1,270 | $31.75 |
| West Virginia | $52,006 | $1,000 | $25.00 |
| Wisconsin | $54,653 | $1,051 | $26.28 |
| Wyoming | $48,604 | $935 | $23.37 |
**Data from Zippia
- Average Respiratory Therapist Job Salary by State (for traveling therapists)
| State | Annual Salary | Weekly Salary | Hourly Wage |
| Alabama (Birmingham) | $84,268 | $1,621 | $50.53 |
| Alaska (Juneau) | $95,285 | $1,832 | $45.80 |
| Arizona (Phoenix) | $89,278 | $1,717 | $42.92 |
| Arkansas (Little Rock) | $86,242 | $1,658 | $41.45 |
| California (San Francisco) | $105,396 | $2,037 | $50.92 |
| Colorado (Boulder) | $93,251 | $1,793 | $44.83 |
| Connecticut (Hartford) | $90,699 | $1,744 | $43.60 |
| Delaware (Dover) | $89,865 | $1,728 | $43.20 |
| Florida (Miami) | $85,999 | $1,654 | $41.35 |
| Georgia (Atlanta) | $86,468 | $1,663 | $41.58 |
| Hawaii (Honolulu) | $88,802 | $1,708 | $42.70 |
| Idaho (Boise) | $85,578 | $1,646 | $41.15 |
| Illinois (Chicago) | $92,626 | $1,781 | $44.52 |
| Indiana (Indianapolis) | $85,947 | $1,653 | $41.33 |
| Iowa (Des Moines) | $87,751 | $1,688 | $42.20 |
| Kansas (Topeka) | $84,619 | $1,627 | $40.68 |
| Kentucky (Lexington) | $89,368 | $1,719 | $42.98 |
| Louisiana (New Orleans) | $86,352 | $1,661 | $41.53 |
| Maine (Portland) | $91,994 | $1,769 | $44.23 |
| Maryland (Annapolis) | $89,010 | $1,712 | $42.80 |
| Massachusetts (Boston) | $97,684 | $1,879 | $46.98 |
| Michigan (Detroit) | $89,013 | $1,841 | $46.02 |
| Minnesota (St Paul) | $90,939 | $1,749 | $43.73 |
| Mississippi (Jackson) | $78,355 | $1,507 | $37.68 |
| Missouri (Jefferson City) | $85,255 | $1,639 | $40.98 |
| Montana (Helena) | $85,209 | $1,639 | $40.98 |
| Nebraska (Lincoln) | $78,282 | $1,505 | $37.62 |
| Nevada (Carson City) | $88,061 | $1,693 | $42.32 |
| New Hampshire (Concord) | $90,507 | $1,741 | $43.53 |
| New Jersey (Trenton) | $90,163 | $1,734 | $43.35 |
| New Mexico (Santa Fe) | $88,264 | $1,697 | $42.43 |
| New York (Manhattan) | $99,233 | $1,908 | $47.70 |
| North Carolina (Charlotte) | $87,882 | $1,689 | $42.23 |
| North Dakota (Bismarck) | $89,585 | $1,723 | $43.08 |
| Ohio (Columbus) | $86,849 | $1,670 | $41.75 |
| Oklahoma (OK City) | $83,527 | $1,606 | $40.15 |
| Oregon (Portland) | $95,356 | $1,834 | $45.85 |
| Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) | $90,773 | $1,745 | $43.63 |
| Rhode Island (Providence) | $90,836 | $1,747 | $43.68 |
| South Carolina (Charleston) | $84,144 | $1,618 | $40.45 |
| South Dakota (Pierre) | $89,594 | $1,723 | $43.08 |
| Tennessee (Nashville) | $86,849 | $1,670 | $41.75 |
| Texas (Austin) | $89,125 | $1,714 | $42.85 |
| Utah (Salt Lake City) | $87,012 | $1,673 | $41.83 |
| Vermont (Montpelier) | $90,901 | $1,748 | $43.70 |
| Virginia (Richmond) | $88,983 | $1,711 | $42.78 |
| Washington (Spokane) | $90,915 | $1,748 | $43.70 |
| West Virginia (Charleston) | $87,387 | $1,681 | $42.03 |
| Wisconsin (Green Bay) | $87,457 | $1,682 | $42.05 |
| Wyoming (Cheyenne) | $85,205 | $1,639 | $40.98 |
Note: From ZipRecruiter “Traveling Respiratory Therapist” according to city data.
- What is the average incentive bonus for a Respiratory Therapist Job?
The average incentive bonus for an RT can range from $1,000 to $5,000. They may be eligible for several types of bonuses including performance-based, retention, referral, or sign-on. They may also earn a holiday/weekend shift bonus, or a travel RT may earn between $500-$2,000 after the completion of a travel assignment.
A sign-on bonus is typically between $2,000-$4,000 in a high-need area, with a retention bonus may be paid of $1,000-$4,000 if the therapist remains in a rural or undeserved area for 6-24 months. Performance-based bonuses are based on metrics or patient outcomes and may range from $500-$3,000 per year. For the referral of other RTs, therapists may be given $500-$2,500 per hire.
- Employed vs. self-employed Respiratory Therapist Job
Salaries vary between an employed and self-employed respiratory therapist. Employed RTs have a stable income or hourly wage, health insurance, a retirement plan, a continuing education allowance, malpractice insurance, and PTO. Administrative tasks and training are handled by the employer. A self-employed RT can earn more and has more flexibility; however, they must find their own jobs. Their jobs are less secure without traditional benefits, and they are responsible for their own taxes, licenses, and insurance.
- Most common benefits for a Respiratory Therapist
Being a respiratory therapist comes with both professional and personal benefits including:
1.High Demand/Job Security- Respiratory therapy is one of fastest growing fields due to high demand in hospitals, outpatient care, and in-home care.
2. Earning Potential- Respiratory therapists earn a competitive salary, bonuses, and incentives for nightshifts, overtime or traveling work.
3. Diverse Work Settings- RTs can work in ICUs, ERs, NICUs, rehab centers, transport teams and in patient homes.
4. Flexible Schedules- RTs have options for 3–4-day work weeks, night/day shifts or PRN/per diem travel roles.
5. Impact on Patient Care- RTs build long-term patient relationships which gives them job satisfaction and purpose.
6. Physical Activity- RTs roles involve movement versus desk work.
7. Sense of Adventure- Traveling roles allow an RT to work in many locations and settings because the licenses transfer across many states.
8. Professional Autonomy- RTs must make quick decisions in emergency care or critical care settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a respiratory therapist?
The average salary for a respiratory therapist in the United States ranges from $72,000-$76,000 per year dependent on location and setting.
What is the entry-level salary for a new respiratory therapist?
New grads typically can earn $52,000 to $58,000 annually in a lower-cost or rural area.
What are the highest-paying settings for respiratory therapists?
The highest-pay settings are specialty hospitals, critical care units, travel contracts, or home health positions in affluent areas.
Do travel respiratory therapists make more money than non-traveling?
Yes. Travel RTs can earn $90,000–$120,000+ per year including housing stipends and bonuses.
Can respiratory therapists increase their salary with a certification?
Yes, earning an advanced certification like RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist), ACLS, PALS, or NPS can lead to higher pay, improved job options, and leadership roles.
Check out our open Respiratory Therapist positions here!