Research Summary. In our latest analysis by the Zippia data science team, we have updated the salary information for respiratory therapists across the United States for 2026:
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California continues to lead with the highest respiratory therapist salary at $76,450
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Maine remains the state with the lowest respiratory therapist salary at $40,166
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The national average salary for respiratory therapists is now $55,617
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The national hourly wage for respiratory therapists stands at $26.74
For more details, explore our methodology.
Background
In surveys conducted across various demographics, salary consistently ranks as the most critical factor influencing job satisfaction. Many aspiring respiratory therapists want to know: how much can I expect to earn in my area?
While salaries can vary based on specific locations and experience, comprehensive data on average salaries for respiratory therapists by state provides a solid benchmark for expectations. These averages serve as a guide for what you might anticipate earning.
California not only has the highest average salary for respiratory therapists but also consistently attracts professionals seeking competitive compensation.
Here’s a snapshot of the top ten states for respiratory therapist salaries in 2026:
Let’s explore how these figures were determined and review the complete ranking of all states.
Highest-Paid Respiratory Therapists By State
| Rank | State | Average Respiratory Therapist Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $76,450 | $46,000 | $126,000 |
| 2 | Alaska | $69,991 | $63,000 | $77,000 |
| 3 | New York | $69,597 | $36,000 | $133,000 |
| 4 | Hawaii | $68,702 | $61,000 | $76,000 |
| 5 | Nevada | $67,530 | $40,000 | $111,000 |
| 6 | Washington | $66,040 | $47,000 | $92,000 |
| 7 | Oregon | $63,168 | $42,000 | $93,000 |
| 8 | New Jersey | $62,836 | $32,000 | $119,000 |
| 9 | Maryland | $61,159 | $33,000 | $112,000 |
| 10 | Idaho | $60,735 | $40,000 | $90,000 |
| 11 | South Carolina | $60,096 | $33,000 | $108,000 |
| 12 | Minnesota | $57,802 | $35,000 | $92,000 |
| 13 | Virginia | $56,991 | $31,000 | $103,000 |
| 14 | Louisiana | $56,865 | $31,000 | $102,000 |
| 15 | Colorado | $55,749 | $34,000 | $88,000 |
| 16 | Illinois | $55,689 | $32,000 | $94,000 |
| 17 | Connecticut | $55,309 | $28,000 | $107,000 |
| 18 | Wisconsin | $54,653 | $32,000 | $91,000 |
| 19 | Montana | $54,648 | $37,000 | $78,000 |
| 20 | Texas | $54,638 | $30,000 | $97,000 |
| 21 | Oklahoma | $54,494 | $31,000 | $93,000 |
| 22 | Tennessee | $54,431 | $30,000 | $95,000 |
| 23 | Florida | $54,422 | $29,000 | $100,000 |
| 24 | North Carolina | $54,347 | $30,000 | $97,000 |
| 25 | Utah | $54,331 | $34,000 | $84,000 |
| 26 | Georgia | $54,302 | $30,000 | $97,000 |
| 27 | Michigan | $54,026 | $30,000 | $94,000 |
| 28 | Indiana | $53,749 | $31,000 | $92,000 |
| 29 | Kansas | $53,246 | $31,000 | $88,000 |
| 30 | Arizona | $52,822 | $31,000 | $89,000 |
| 31 | South Dakota | $52,720 | $33,000 | $83,000 |
| 32 | Delaware | $52,691 | $28,000 | $98,000 |
| 33 | North Dakota | $52,466 | $34,000 | $79,000 |
| 34 | West Virginia | $52,006 | $29,000 | $92,000 |
| 35 | Massachusetts | $51,960 | $26,000 | $103,000 |
| 36 | Missouri | $51,921 | $30,000 | $87,000 |
| 37 | Mississippi | $51,753 | $28,000 | $92,000 |
| 38 | Alabama | $51,746 | $28,000 | $92,000 |
| 39 | Ohio | $51,552 | $29,000 | $90,000 |
| 40 | Pennsylvania | $50,377 | $26,000 | $94,000 |
| 41 | Nebraska | $50,007 | $30,000 | $81,000 |
| 42 | Iowa | $48,798 | $29,000 | $80,000 |
| 43 | Wyoming | $48,604 | $31,000 | $74,000 |
| 44 | New Hampshire | $48,050 | $24,000 | $96,000 |
| 45 | Vermont | $47,914 | $24,000 | $95,000 |
| 46 | Kentucky | $46,570 | $26,000 | $80,000 |
| 47 | New Mexico | $46,001 | $26,000 | $78,000 |
| 48 | Rhode Island | $43,015 | $21,000 | $85,000 |
| 49 | Arkansas | $41,765 | $24,000 | $72,000 |
| 50 | Maine | $40,166 | $19,000 | $81,000 |
Methodology: Respiratory Therapist Salary By State
To accurately portray respiratory therapist salaries by state, Zippia has compiled data from various sources, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Federal Labor Commission (FLC), and Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Additionally, we incorporate actual salary listings from job postings. Our data science team then calculates a weighted average to derive the average pay for respiratory therapists by state.
We ranked each state based on these average annual salary figures, identifying the state with the highest average salary for respiratory therapists.
Respiratory Therapist Salary By State FAQs
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What is the highest-paid state for respiratory therapists?
The highest-paid state for respiratory therapists is California, with an average salary of $76,450 per year.
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What city pays respiratory therapists the most?
Lancaster, CA offers the highest average salary for respiratory therapists at $76,431 per year.
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What is the worst state for respiratory therapists?
The state with the lowest average salary for respiratory therapists is Maine, at $40,166 per year.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
