Salary Outlook
The pay is good in this field. In 2011, respiratory therapists made a median salary of $55,250. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also reports that the highest-paid made around $74,400 and the lowest-paid earned around $40,660. And though hospitals are the top employers, they don’t pay the best: Colleges, universities, and professionals schools and local government actually pay therapists somewhere in the mid to high 60s. If you really want the best compensation, job hunt in California. The top-paying metro areas are all in the Golden State.
| Job Salary | Year |
|---|---|
| 2002 | $38,150.00 |
| 2004 | $44,180.00 |
| 2006 | $48,550.00 |
| 2008 | $53,070.00 |
| 2010 | $55,180.00 |
Average Respiratory Therapist Pay vs. All Healthcare Jobs
Respiratory therapists earn a salary that’s comparable to other hospital workers. Radiologic technologists and physical therapist assistants both make similar salaries. Registered nurses and diagnostic medical sonographers make more money. Clinical lab techs and nursing aides make significantly less, however.
| Job Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $65,690.00 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $55,250.00 |
| Radiologic Technologist | $55,120.00 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technician | $36,950.00 |
See Complete List of Best Healthcare Jobs
Best Paying Cities for Respiratory Therapists
The highest paid in the respiratory therapist profession work in the metropolitan areas of San Jose, CA, Salinas, CA, and Vallejo, CA. The San Francisco, CA area also pays well, as does the city of Sacramento, CA.
San Jose, CA
Average Salary: $83,360 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of a respiratory therapist working in San Jose, CA is $83,360, which is $28,110 more than the average pay in the profession.
Salinas, CA
Average Salary: $83,050 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of a respiratory therapist working in Salinas, CA is $83,050, which is $27,800 more than the average pay in the profession.
Vallejo, CA
Average Salary: $82,590 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of a respiratory therapist working in Vallejo, CA is $82,590, which is $27,340 more than the average pay in the profession.
San Francisco, CA
Average Salary: $79,940 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of a respiratory therapist working in San Francisco, CA is $79,940, which is $24,690 more than the average pay in the profession.
Sacramento, CA
Average Salary: $78,290 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of a respiratory therapist working in Sacramento, CA is $78,290, which is $23,040 more than the average pay in the profession.
What salaries are being offered for Respiratory Therapists in your city?
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