Respiratory Therapist Salary Breakdown: Jobs, Education & Career Path Explained

The average respiratory therapist salary in the USA is about $60,000 – $110,000 per year. Basically, every field’s salary totally depends on the experience and qualification, and the respiratory therapist’s salary according to experience is also explained below. And more details like how to become and more related queries related to a respiratory therapist are also explained below:

What is a Respiratory Therapist?

A Respiratory Therapist is a licensed healthcare professional who specializes in helping people who have trouble breathing. They treat patients with both chronic and emergency breathing problems, such as asthma, COPD, pneumonia, or patients who are on ventilators.

What do Respiratory Therapists do?

• Check and monitor lung function
• Give oxygen therapy
• Manage ventilators for patients who can’t breathe on their own
• Help during surgeries by managing airways
• Educate patients on how to use inhalers or breathing exercises
• Respond to emergencies, like heart or breathing failure

How much do Respiratory Therapists make?

The respiratory therapist salary can change a lot depending on where you work. This guide shows what you can earn in each state in 2025.

Experience Level	Average Annual Salary
Entry-Level (0–2 years)	$55,000 – $60,000
Mid-Level (3–5 years)	$60,000 – $70,000
Senior-Level (5+ years)	$70,000 – $85,000
Top-Level / Supervisory	$85,000 – $100,000+

Check Respiratory Therapist Salary in Every U.S. State

High-Paying States (Above $100,000)

These are the top-paying states for Respiratory Therapists:

State	Avg. Annual Salary
Washington	$115,113
Massachusetts	$110,999
Vermont	$108,065
North Dakota	$107,539
Oregon	$107,458
Colorado	$106,872
District of Columbia	$106,480
Nevada	$103,497
New Jersey	$103,184
Pennsylvania	$101,880
Delaware	$101,724
California	$101,200
Virginia	$100,764
Wisconsin	$102,587

Median-Paying States ($90,000 – $99,999)

These states are around the national median:

State	Avg. Annual Salary
Minnesota	$99,543
Rhode Island	$99,533
Maryland	$98,642
New York	$98,640
Illinois	$98,488
New Mexico	$98,493
Maine	$98,404
New Hampshire	$98,842
Indiana	$96,713
Nebraska	$96,905
Ohio	$96,625
Missouri	$95,335
Idaho	$95,629
Arizona	$94,713
Texas	$94,690
South Carolina	$94,314
Montana	$93,286
Oklahoma	$93,844
North Carolina	$92,367
Utah	$92,526
Tennessee	$92,247
Kansas	$90,644
Hawaii	$90,860

Low-Paying States (Below $90,000)

These states offer below-median salaries for Respiratory Therapists:

State	Avg. Annual Salary
Kentucky	$88,274
Michigan	$88,585
Louisiana	$86,911
Georgia	$85,820
Florida	$75,952
West Virginia	$78,683
Connecticut	$78,951
Arkansas	$66,740
Alabama	$67,870
Mississippi	$60,800

Respiratory Therapist Salary California (2025)

• Average Respiratory Therapist Salary: $81,485/year (about $39/hour)
• Salary Range: Respiratory therapist salary is about $65,403 – $94,811/year (based on experience and location)
• Higher Pay in Cities: Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego often exceed $90K–$100K/year
• Entry-Level Respiratory Therapist Salary: Around $65,000/year
• Senior-Level Respiratory Therapist Salary: Can go above $100,000/year
• Key Factors: Experience, certifications (RRT, CRT), and hospital size all impact pay

Best University in California for Respiratory Therapy

• Loma Linda University
  • Highly respected for health sciences
  • Offers Bachelor’s and Master’s in Respiratory Care
  • Known for strong clinical training and high job placement rates

How to become a Respiratory Therapist?

1. Earn a High School Diploma or GED

Subjects to focus on:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Math
• Anatomy (if available)

Tip: Take science seriously — it builds the foundation for your RT education.

2. Complete an Accredited Respiratory Therapy Program

You can choose between:

• Associate Degree in Respiratory Therapy (2 years)
• Bachelor’s Degree in Respiratory Therapy (4 years)

Make sure the program is accredited by CoARC (Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care).
You can find a list here: https://www.coarc.com

3. Gain Clinical Experience

During your program, you’ll complete hands-on clinical training in hospitals or medical settings.
This includes:

• Working with patients
• Using oxygen machines
• Managing ventilators
• Emergency response situations

4. Pass the NBRC Exams (2 Steps)

After your degree, take these required national exams:

TMC (Therapist Multiple-Choice Exam)

• Pass this to become a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT).
• If you score high, you qualify for the next step.

CSE (Clinical Simulation Exam)

• Pass this to earn the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) title — the highest credential.

Most employers require RRT for full-time positions.

5. Apply for State Licensure

All U.S. states (except Alaska) require a state license to work.

Steps:

• Submit your NBRC scores
• Background check
• Application fee

Check your state’s licensing board for details.

6. Get Your First Job as a Respiratory Therapist

Apply to hospitals, clinics, or home care agencies. Common job titles:

• Respiratory Therapist (RT)
• Critical Care RT
• Neonatal or Pediatric RT

7. Maintain Certification

• Renew your NBRC credentials every 5 years
• Some states require Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

8. Advance Your Career (Optional)

Once you gain experience, you can:

• Specialize (e.g., NICU, ICU, Pulmonary Rehab)
• Get a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree
• Become an educator, manager, or clinical specialist
• Work in sleep labs or pulmonary function testing

How long does it take to become a Respiratory Therapist?

🕒 Total Time Breakdown:

Step	Approximate Duration
Associate/Bachelor’s Degree	2–4 years
Licensure Exams	A few months
Total	2–4 years