Respiratory Therapist Salary 2026: Monthly and Hourly Pay
The respiratory therapist salary in the United States has a national median of $82,280 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), based on May 2025 wage data. This equals an approximate monthly equivalent of $6,857 or an hourly equivalent of $39.56. These figures are gross earnings, not guaranteed take-home pay.
For the 2026 salary guide, May 2025 is the latest wage reference used here. Actual earnings vary by state, employer, experience, credentials, work schedule, and clinical specialty.
Respiratory Therapist Salary Snapshot
| Salary measure | U.S. figure |
|---|---|
| National median annual salary | $82,280 |
| Approximate monthly equivalent | $6,856.67 |
| Median hourly wage | $39.56 |
| Lowest 10% earned less than | $63,660 per year |
| Highest 10% earned more than | $118,050 per year |
| Median in hospitals | $82,730 per year |
| Median in nursing care facilities | $79,270 per year |
| Median in physicians’ offices | $77,890 per year |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2025 wage data. Monthly equivalent is annual salary divided by 12. The 10th and 90th percentiles are distribution benchmarks, not defined fresher and senior salary bands.
The national median is a useful starting point for salary planning. However, it does not mean that every newly licensed therapist earns $82,280 or that every experienced therapist earns more than that amount.
Respiratory Therapist Salary Per Month
The monthly respiratory therapist salary depends on the annual wage, contracted hours, overtime, shift differentials, and the employer’s compensation package.
Based on the national median of $82,280, the approximate monthly equivalent is $6,856.67 before taxes and deductions.
Here is how different annual salary amounts translate into monthly equivalents.
| Annual gross salary | Approximate monthly equivalent |
| $63,660 | $5,305 |
| $74,520 | $6,210 |
| $82,280 | $6,856.67 |
| $98,730 | $8,227.50 |
| $118,050 | $9,837.50 |
Source: BLS May 2025 annual wage percentiles. Monthly figures are calculated by dividing annual amounts by 12; they are not official monthly pay rates.
These amounts are useful for comparing gross earnings. Actual paychecks may differ because of weekly or biweekly payroll schedules, unpaid leave, overtime, bonuses, and benefit deductions.
Hourly pay for respiratory therapists
The BLS reports a national median hourly wage of $39.56.
For an employee working a regular 40-hour week throughout the year, that hourly rate would produce a different annual estimate from a wage calculation based on actual shifts and hours worked. The BLS annual median should be used as the main national benchmark rather than assuming that every employee works exactly 2,080 paid hours.
Respiratory Therapist Salary for Freshers
New graduates often want to know how much they can earn before gaining substantial clinical experience.
The BLS national wage figures do not provide a separate salary specifically for newly graduated respiratory therapists. Therefore, the national median should not be presented as a guaranteed starting salary.
For an entry-level offer, compare the employer’s stated hourly wage or annual salary with local occupational wage data. Also check whether the role requires an RRT credential, accepts a CRT credential, or permits employment while a candidate completes additional credentialing requirements.
What affects a new graduate’s salary?
- Location: Hospital wages vary across states and metropolitan areas.
- Employer: Large hospital systems and smaller healthcare facilities may offer different pay packages.
- Credentials: RRT eligibility or certification may be required or preferred for particular jobs.
- Shift schedule: Night, weekend, and holiday shifts may have additional compensation.
- Employment status: Full-time, part-time, per-diem, and contract positions may have different rates and benefits.
- Clinical assignment: Intensive care, neonatal care, and other specialized settings may have distinct hiring requirements.
Is training pay different from a regular salary?
Respiratory therapy students typically complete supervised clinical training as part of their accredited educational program. This is not automatically a paid job or a separate salary.
If a graduate accepts a paid residency, internship, or training position, the compensation should be checked in that employer’s offer. Do not assume that every respiratory therapist receives a training stipend.
Respiratory Therapist Salary by Experience
Experience can affect pay, but the national BLS wage distribution is not a direct salary ladder based on years of service.
The following table provides a reliable way to interpret the available data without inventing experience-specific averages.
| Career stage | Salary information |
| New graduate | Depends on the employer’s entry-level offer; no separate national fresher median is reported in the cited BLS figures |
| Junior therapist | Local market rates and employer pay bands are the best benchmarks |
| Experienced therapist | Earnings may reflect clinical expertise, credentials, specialty, and additional responsibilities |
| Senior therapist | Seniority, specialist roles, and leadership duties may influence compensation |
| Higher-earning workers | The top 10% earned more than $118,050 annually in May 2025 |
Source: BLS national wage distribution. The upper percentile represents workers across the occupation, not exclusively senior employees.
Junior respiratory therapist salary
Junior therapists generally focus on delivering prescribed respiratory care, operating equipment, documenting treatment, and coordinating with experienced clinicians.
Their pay depends on the local labor market, employer pay scale, shift assignment, and credential requirements. A local job offer or employer salary range is more useful than an unsupported national junior salary estimate.
Experienced respiratory therapist salary
With experience, therapists may become more capable of handling complex patient needs, managing ventilator support, performing specialized assessments, and helping newer team members.
These responsibilities may support higher pay at some employers, although salary increases are not automatic. The specific job description and compensation structure matter.
Senior respiratory therapist salary
Senior roles may include lead therapist, clinical educator, supervisor, or department manager positions. These jobs can involve staff coordination, quality improvement, training, scheduling, or operational responsibilities.
A senior title does not guarantee a particular salary. Compare the pay range for the actual position rather than assuming that every senior therapist earns above the national 90th percentile.
Respiratory Therapist In-Hand Salary
The in-hand salary is the amount an employee receives after taxes and other payroll deductions. It is lower than gross earnings when deductions apply.
For a U.S. respiratory therapist, take-home pay depends on:
- Federal income tax and the employee’s filing circumstances.
- State and, where applicable, local income taxes.
- Social Security and Medicare payroll taxes.
- Health insurance premiums and other employee benefit contributions.
- Retirement plan contributions.
- Pretax or post-tax deductions selected by the employee.
- Overtime and other taxable compensation.
The national median annual wage of $82,280 is a gross wage benchmark. It is not a net salary figure.
How to estimate take-home pay
Use this calculation framework:
Gross pay − payroll taxes − benefit deductions − other applicable deductions = estimated take-home pay
For a meaningful estimate, you need the state of residence and work, filing status, pay frequency, benefits, retirement contributions, and other relevant tax information.
A single nationwide in-hand figure would be misleading because two respiratory therapists with the same gross salary may receive different net pay.
Respiratory Therapist Salary by Healthcare Setting
Respiratory therapists work in several healthcare environments, including hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, physicians’ offices, and home healthcare services.
BLS industry-specific median wages provide a useful comparison.
| Healthcare setting | Median annual wage | Approximate monthly equivalent |
| Hospitals | $82,730 | $6,894.17 |
| Nursing care facilities | $79,270 | $6,605.83 |
| Physicians’ offices | $77,890 | $6,490.83 |
Source: BLS, May 2025 industry wage data. Monthly equivalents are calculated figures, not guaranteed take-home amounts.
Hospital respiratory therapist salary
Hospitals are the largest employment setting for respiratory therapists. BLS data indicate that hospitals accounted for approximately 80% of respiratory therapist jobs in 2025.
Hospital therapists may work in emergency departments, intensive care units, neonatal intensive care units, and general inpatient units. Their responsibilities can include ventilator management, oxygen therapy, diagnostic testing, and monitoring patients with cardiopulmonary conditions.
The reported hospital median is slightly higher than the overall occupational median, but it does not establish that every hospital pays more than every outpatient employer.
Nursing care facility salary
Respiratory therapists in skilled nursing facilities may support residents with chronic respiratory conditions, help manage respiratory equipment, and coordinate care with nursing and medical teams.
The median for this setting was $79,270 per year in May 2025.
Physicians’ office salary
Therapists working in physicians’ offices may assist with respiratory assessments, pulmonary function testing, patient education, and related outpatient care.
The BLS reported a median annual wage of $77,890 for this industry in May 2025.
Respiratory Therapist Salary by State
Location can have a substantial effect on earnings. Differences in healthcare labor demand, employer competition, cost of living, and local wage conditions can all influence salary offers.
The American Association for Respiratory Care’s salary resource, drawing on BLS May 2025 state wage data, reports the following examples:
| Location | Median annual wage | Data year |
| District of Columbia | $111,950 | May 2025 |
| Mississippi | $63,270 | May 2025 |
Source: AARC career resource reporting BLS state wage data. These are location-specific occupational medians, not guaranteed job offers or adjusted cost-of-living comparisons.
The difference illustrates why a national salary average cannot predict what a specific employer will offer.
How to find your state’s respiratory therapist salary
For a state-specific estimate:
- Open the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
- Follow its state and area wage-data links.
- Select respiratory therapists as the occupation.
- Compare state and metropolitan-area wages.
- Review local job advertisements for current offers, shift requirements, and benefits.
State and metropolitan estimates are particularly useful when deciding between job offers in different cities. Also compare housing, transportation, insurance, and other living expenses before deciding which salary provides greater purchasing power.
Respiratory Therapist Salary by Employer
Individual hospital systems and healthcare employers set their own pay bands, hiring incentives, and benefit packages.
A reliable employer comparison should distinguish between:
- Official employer-published salary ranges.
- Current job advertisements.
- Employee-reported salary databases.
- National occupational wage statistics.
These sources measure different things. For example, a job advertisement may describe the budgeted range for one vacancy, while the BLS median summarizes wages across a broader occupational population.
How to compare hospital job offers
When evaluating offers, check:
- Base hourly rate or annual salary.
- Guaranteed weekly hours.
- Night, weekend, and holiday differentials.
- Overtime eligibility and rates.
- Sign-on or retention bonuses and any repayment conditions.
- Health insurance premiums and retirement contributions.
- Paid time off and continuing education support.
- Whether the role requires CRT or RRT credentials.
Do not compare two offers using headline annual pay alone. A higher nominal salary may come with longer shifts, fewer benefits, or more expensive housing.
Factors That Affect Respiratory Therapist Salary
Several factors can explain why two respiratory therapists earn different amounts.
1. Experience
Clinical experience can improve a therapist’s ability to manage complex cases, work with specialized equipment, and take on greater responsibility. Employers may reflect these differences in their pay bands.
2. Credentials
CRT and RRT are recognized professional credentials administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). Certain employers or roles may require or prefer a specific credential.
3. Location
State and metropolitan wage differences reflect local labor-market conditions. A high nominal salary may also be offset by a higher cost of living.
4. Healthcare setting
Hospital, outpatient, home healthcare, and skilled nursing roles can involve different patient populations, staffing models, and work responsibilities.
5. Specialty
Experience with ventilators, neonatal respiratory care, critical care, pulmonary diagnostics, or sleep-related services may be relevant to specialized positions.
The effect on pay depends on the job and employer; a specialty does not automatically guarantee a higher salary.
6. Shift and overtime
Hospitals operate around the clock. Night, weekend, holiday, and overtime work may increase total earnings when additional pay applies. These amounts should be separated from base salary.
7. Education
An associate degree is the typical entry-level educational requirement. Some employers prefer a bachelor’s degree, especially for particular positions or advancement opportunities.
8. Leadership responsibilities
Lead therapists, supervisors, educators, and managers may have responsibilities beyond routine patient care. Their compensation depends on the position’s scope, employer, and local pay structure.
What Does a Respiratory Therapist Do?
Respiratory therapists evaluate and treat patients who have breathing or cardiopulmonary problems. They care for patients across age groups, from premature infants to older adults with chronic lung disease.
Typical responsibilities include:
- Assessing patients with breathing difficulties.
- Performing pulmonary function and other diagnostic tests.
- Administering prescribed respiratory treatments.
- Setting up and monitoring ventilators and oxygen equipment.
- Monitoring patients and documenting their progress.
- Teaching patients how to use respiratory medications and equipment.
- Coordinating treatment with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
Respiratory therapists may work in intensive care, emergency medicine, neonatal care, outpatient clinics, and home healthcare.
The work can involve physical activity, exposure to infectious illnesses, and shifts that include nights, weekends, or holidays.
Respiratory Therapist Qualification and Eligibility
The typical U.S. entry pathway requires an associate degree in respiratory therapy from an accredited program. Some employers prefer a bachelor’s degree. Licensing requirements vary by state.
Education requirements
Most prospective respiratory therapists complete an associate degree in respiratory therapy. Programs generally combine classroom instruction with supervised clinical experience.
Coursework commonly includes:
- Anatomy and physiology.
- Respiratory care procedures.
- Diagnostic testing.
- Patient assessment.
- Respiratory equipment and therapeutic techniques.
- Clinical practice.
The Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) accredits respiratory care educational programs at the associate, bachelor’s, and master’s levels. Check the status of a program before enrolling.
Is a bachelor’s degree required?
A bachelor’s degree is not the usual minimum entry requirement for the occupation. An associate degree is typically sufficient to enter the field, provided the applicant also meets credentialing, licensing, and employer requirements.
However, some employers may prefer a bachelor’s degree for certain jobs or advancement opportunities.
Are CRT and RRT certifications required?
Credential requirements depend on the state and employer.
The NBRC administers the CRT and RRT credentialing pathways. Its examination requirements and eligibility policies are changing in 2027, so candidates planning to test around that transition should consult the current NBRC examination guidance.
The National Board for Respiratory Care
Is a state license required?
Respiratory therapists must be licensed in all states except Alaska, according to the BLS. Alaska does not have the same state licensure requirement, although certification may be recommended or required by employers. Requirements differ by state, so applicants should confirm them with the relevant licensing authority.
How to Become a Respiratory Therapist
- Complete high school or an equivalent qualification. Biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics can help prepare you for respiratory care coursework.
- Enroll in an accredited respiratory therapy program. Verify the program’s accreditation and admission requirements before committing to tuition.
- Complete classroom and clinical training. Gain supervised experience with patient assessment, respiratory treatments, and clinical equipment.
- Meet credentialing requirements. Review the applicable NBRC examination pathway and determine which credential your intended employers require.
- Obtain the required state license. Follow the licensing process in the state where you intend to work.
- Apply for respiratory therapist positions. Compare pay, shifts, benefits, and training support across employers.
- Build experience and develop specialties. Additional clinical skills, credentials, or education may support future opportunities.
Requirements vary by state, so confirm the licensing rules before applying for jobs or relocating.
Respiratory Therapist Career Growth
Respiratory therapists can progress into more specialized clinical positions, education, leadership, and management. The appropriate path depends on experience, credentials, education, and employer requirements.
A possible career progression is:
Entry-level respiratory therapist
Completes education, credentialing, and applicable licensing requirements.
Experienced clinical therapist
Develops stronger clinical skills and may focus on critical care or other specialties.
Clinical specialist or educator
May support staff development, advanced clinical practice, or education.
Lead therapist or department manager
May coordinate teams, staffing, clinical quality, and departmental operations.
These are possible career directions, not guaranteed promotions. Employers may use different job titles and qualification requirements.
The BLS projects 9% employment growth from 2025 to 2035 for respiratory therapists, which is faster than the projected average for all occupations. It also projects approximately 8,600 openings annually over that period, on average.
Employment growth indicates projected demand, not a guarantee of higher wages or employment for an individual candidate.
Respiratory Therapist Benefits and Compensation
A respiratory therapist’s total compensation may include more than base wages. The exact package depends on the employer and employment status.
Potential benefits include:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
- Employer retirement-plan contributions.
- Paid time off and sick leave.
- Paid holidays, where offered.
- Overtime and shift differentials, when applicable.
- Continuing education or professional development support.
- Sign-on or retention bonuses, if included in the offer.
- Disability or life insurance.
Not every employer provides all these benefits. Part-time, per-diem, travel, and contract positions may have different eligibility rules.
Do respiratory therapists receive overtime pay?
Some respiratory therapists may qualify for overtime under applicable wage laws and employer policies. Eligibility depends on job classification and the relevant federal and state rules.
Overtime earnings should be separated from base annual salary when comparing compensation packages. Do not assume that a job’s advertised annual pay includes overtime.
Do travel respiratory therapists earn more?
Travel and contract assignments can offer different hourly rates or additional compensation, but the total package varies by contract.
Compare the guaranteed taxable wage, contract duration, housing or travel stipends, benefit eligibility, and assignment conditions. Stipends may have specific tax requirements, so they should not automatically be treated as tax-free income.
Respiratory Therapist vs. Registered Nurse Salary
Respiratory therapists and registered nurses both work in patient care, but their responsibilities and education pathways differ.
According to the BLS, the May 2025 national median annual wage for respiratory therapists was $82,280, compared with $97,550 for registered nurses.
| Comparison | Respiratory therapist | Registered nurse |
| National median annual wage | $82,280 | $97,550 |
| Typical entry-level education | Associate degree | Bachelor’s degree is typical in the BLS profile |
| Main focus | Respiratory and cardiopulmonary care | Broader nursing assessment and patient care |
| Common work settings | Hospitals, clinics, skilled nursing facilities | Hospitals, clinics, nursing facilities, and other settings |
| Licensing | State-specific requirements | State-specific requirements |
Source: BLS occupational profiles, May 2025 wage data. Median pay reflects the occupation as a whole and is not a direct comparison of workers with identical experience, hours, or specialties.
The salary difference does not determine which career is right for an individual. Compare education costs, day-to-day duties, licensing, working conditions, and long-term career goals before choosing a pathway.
Respiratory Therapist Salary After Taxes and Deductions
A salary offer should be evaluated using both gross pay and estimated take-home pay.
For a U.S. employee, the main deductions may include federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare taxes, state or local taxes, insurance premiums, and retirement contributions.
Tax liability depends on filing status, taxable income, location, and applicable tax rules. Some employee benefit contributions may also affect taxable wages.
To estimate take-home pay accurately, use a current payroll calculator or tax software with your own circumstances. The national median wage is a useful starting point, but it is not enough to determine an exact paycheck.
11. Salary Tables: Research and Interpretation
The key salary figures in this article come from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook and its underlying Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program.
| Figure | What it represents | What it does not represent |
| $82,280 national median | Annual occupational wage, May 2025 | Guaranteed salary for a new graduate |
| $39.56 hourly median | National median hourly wage, May 2025 | Guaranteed hourly rate at every employer |
| $63,660 lower percentile threshold | Workers in the lowest 10% earned less than this annually | A published fresher salary |
| $118,050 upper percentile threshold | Workers in the highest 10% earned more than this annually | A guaranteed senior salary |
| Industry medians | Wage differences across selected healthcare settings | Guaranteed salaries at specific companies |
| State medians | Geographic differences in reported wages | Cost-of-living-adjusted purchasing power |
Methodology: Wage data are from May 2025, the latest BLS occupational wage figures used in this guide. Figures labeled as monthly equivalents are calculated by dividing annual amounts by 12. They are not separate BLS monthly salary observations.
12. Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the average respiratory therapist salary in 2026?
The BLS reports a national median annual wage of $82,280 based on May 2025 data. The median is used here rather than calling it an average; the BLS reports a separate annual mean of $87,300 in the same wage dataset.
2. How much does a respiratory therapist make per month?
The national median annual wage translates to approximately $6,856.67 per month before taxes and deductions. This is an annual-to-monthly calculation, not a guaranteed paycheck amount.
3. What is the starting salary for a respiratory therapist?
There is no separate starting-salary figure in the national BLS data cited here. Entry-level pay depends on location, employer, credentials, and the specific job offer.
4. How much do experienced respiratory therapists make?
Experienced therapists may earn more than entry-level workers, but pay depends on specialty, employer, location, and responsibilities. The national upper 10% earned more than $118,050 annually in May 2025; this is not an experience-specific salary benchmark.
5. What is the hourly salary of a respiratory therapist?
The national median hourly wage was $39.56 in May 2025. Actual hourly rates vary by employer, location, work schedule, and qualifications.
6. Which healthcare setting pays respiratory therapists the most?
Among the selected industries listed by the BLS, hospitals reported the highest median annual wage at $82,730 in May 2025. This is an industry-level median, not a guarantee that every hospital job pays more than every other position.
7. Which state pays respiratory therapists the most?
In the state data summarized by the AARC from the BLS May 2025 wage estimates, the District of Columbia had the highest reported median at $111,950. This is a location-specific statistic, not a guarantee of the highest individual job offer.
8. Do respiratory therapists need a bachelor’s degree?
Usually, no. An associate degree in respiratory therapy is the typical entry-level educational requirement. Some employers prefer a bachelor’s degree, and state licensing requirements still apply.
9. Are CRT and RRT certifications important for salary?
They can matter because employers may require or prefer particular credentials for certain roles. Their effect on pay depends on the employer and position. Review the NBRC’s current credentialing requirements and the job advertisement before assuming that a credential guarantees higher earnings.
10. How much do respiratory therapists take home after taxes?
There is no single national take-home amount. Net pay depends on gross earnings, federal and state taxes, payroll taxes, insurance, retirement contributions, and other deductions.
11. Is respiratory therapy a growing occupation?
The BLS projects 9% employment growth from 2025 to 2035, with approximately 8,600 annual openings projected on average. These are national employment projections, not guarantees of individual job placement.
12. Do respiratory therapists earn more in hospitals or outpatient clinics?
The BLS reported a median of $82,730 for hospitals and $77,890 for physicians’ offices in May 2025. These figures compare broad industries and do not establish the pay of every individual employer or outpatient setting.
Conclusion
The respiratory therapist salary in the United States has a national median of $82,280 annually, based on May 2025 BLS data. Actual compensation varies with location, credentials, healthcare setting, experience, shift schedule, and benefits.
For people entering the field, the most useful next step is to compare accredited respiratory therapy programs, confirm state licensing requirements, and review local employer salary ranges. Experienced professionals should also compare the full compensation package rather than base pay alone.
