Respiratory Therapist salary
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A respiratory therapist earns a median of $82,280 a year ($39.56 an hour) in the US, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The average is $87,300. About 139,790 people work in this job.
Take-home pay on $82,280
- Gross pay
- $3,164.62
- Federal income tax
- −$356.60
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$196.21
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$45.89
- Texas income tax
- $0.00No state income tax on wages
- Take-home pay
- $2,565.92
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $82,280
- Federal
- $9,272
- FICA
- $6,294
- State + local
- $0
- Net
- $66,714
- Marginal federal rate
- 22.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 0.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
Respiratory Therapist salary by state
| State | Median salary | Average | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $111,950 | $108,020 | 430 |
| New York | $107,810 | $110,200 | 7,010 |
| California | $104,820 | $109,440 | 18,650 |
| Massachusetts | $102,170 | $100,580 | 2,220 |
| Washington | $101,130 | $99,740 | 1,860 |
| New Jersey | $100,810 | $99,760 | 3,350 |
| Oregon | $100,560 | $98,160 | 1,340 |
| Minnesota | $98,710 | $96,890 | 1,250 |
| Alaska | $97,950 | $96,290 | 180 |
| New Hampshire | $95,940 | $93,700 | 360 |
| Hawaii | $94,210 | $93,380 | 510 |
| Delaware | $91,080 | $92,190 | 500 |
| Maryland | $88,960 | $90,600 | 1,800 |
| Rhode Island | $86,900 | $93,410 | 260 |
| Colorado | $86,220 | $88,300 | 2,110 |
| Nevada | $85,480 | $90,530 | 1,270 |
| Connecticut | $85,230 | $92,510 | 1,370 |
| Wisconsin | $84,210 | $86,230 | 1,940 |
| Illinois | $84,090 | $84,920 | 4,880 |
| Vermont | $83,820 | $84,640 | 210 |
| Georgia | $83,700 | $88,340 | 5,150 |
| Virginia | $82,910 | $87,310 | 3,340 |
| Maine | $82,470 | $80,400 | 520 |
| Nebraska | $81,590 | $80,710 | 840 |
| North Dakota | $81,230 | $84,710 | 270 |
| Montana | $81,190 | $77,850 | 390 |
| Florida | $81,160 | $82,400 | 8,820 |
| Utah | $80,650 | $80,500 | 1,170 |
| North Carolina | $80,090 | $81,360 | 4,630 |
| Ohio | $79,920 | $81,240 | 6,640 |
| Michigan | $79,850 | $78,550 | 4,520 |
| Arizona | $79,780 | $80,980 | 3,500 |
| Indiana | $79,730 | $78,190 | 3,170 |
| Texas | $79,540 | $81,010 | 12,130 |
| Wyoming | $79,330 | $76,980 | 160 |
| Oklahoma | $78,800 | $77,710 | 2,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $78,490 | $78,180 | 6,530 |
| Idaho | $78,460 | $78,370 | 820 |
| Missouri | $78,390 | $76,490 | 3,030 |
| South Carolina | $77,740 | $76,490 | 1,960 |
| Kansas | $76,970 | $74,860 | 1,450 |
| Louisiana | $75,240 | $74,690 | 2,520 |
| Iowa | $74,760 | $74,260 | 910 |
| Arkansas | $73,870 | $72,740 | 1,400 |
| Kentucky | $72,750 | $72,470 | 2,530 |
| Tennessee | $72,140 | $72,300 | 3,440 |
| New Mexico | $68,870 | $73,720 | 840 |
| West Virginia | $68,670 | $71,970 | 1,140 |
| South Dakota | $68,240 | $68,910 | 430 |
| Alabama | $66,150 | $68,480 | 2,350 |
| Mississippi | $63,270 | $68,120 | 1,670 |
Similar jobs
- Orthotist and Prosthetist: $81,110
- Radiology Tech: $80,110
- Chiropractor: $79,200
- Therapist: $77,930
- Dietitian and Nutritionist: $76,400
- Acupuncturist: $76,040
- Cardiovascular Technologist and Technician: $74,310
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist: $95,480
BLS occupation: Respiratory Therapists. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 29-1126). Excludes the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a respiratory therapist make an hour?
The median hourly wage is $39.56; the average is $41.97.
Which state pays respiratory therapists the most?
District of Columbia ($111,950 median), followed by New York and California.
What is the salary range for a respiratory therapist?
The bottom 10% earn under $63,660 and the top 10% earn over $118,050 a year.
How much is $82,280 after taxes?
About $66,714 a year in Texas (no state income tax) or $62,237 in California for a single filer in 2026.
Your business here? Sponsor this calculator from $19/week. See placements
Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.