How much does a new grad respiratory therapist make?
James Williams
Updated on March 28, 2026
Entry Level Respiratory Therapist Salary
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | |
|---|---|---|
| Top Earners | $99,500 | $8,291 |
| 75th Percentile | $72,500 | $6,041 |
| Average | $60,158 | $5,013 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,000 | $3,250 |
Is respiratory therapy a good career 2020?
If you’re looking to jumpstart your career, respiratory therapy is a good field to consider—especially if you live in California. California was the highest-paying state for respiratory therapists in May 2020 (for detailed regional information please visit ).
Is respiratory therapy a dying profession?
Respiratory therapy technicians are projected to decline by 56.3% What they do, according to O*NET: They provide respiratory care under the direction of respiratory therapists and physicians.
How much does a respiratory therapist start out making?
Contact Details
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Starting | $33.13 | $36.81 |
| Overall | $43.42 | $44.24 |
| Top | $47.89 | $48.19 |
Do nurses or respiratory therapists make more?
In comparison to RT’s, RN’s generally have higher salaries, more opportunities for specialization and a wider range of work settings. RN’s also have more opportunity for advancement in clinical care.
What is the highest paid respiratory therapist?
Below is a list of the top-10 highest-paying states for respiratory therapists.
- California average respiratory therapist salary: $79,640.
- Alaska average respiratory therapist salary: $76,610.
- New York average respiratory therapist salary: $74,890.
- Massachusetts average respiratory therapist salary: $73,660.
