Best cities for a respiratory therapist
The best cities for respiratory therapists are Reno, NV, New Orleans, LA, and North Las Vegas, NV, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for respiratory therapists vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for respiratory therapists in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a respiratory therapist or considering a move, this list of the best cities for respiratory therapists to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for respiratory therapists. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a respiratory therapist. While the absolute best city for respiratory therapists is Reno, NV, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for respiratory therapists in 2024.
If you're looking for a respiratory therapist job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for respiratory therapists in 2025
1. Reno, NV
Respiratory therapist jobs in RenoTotal respiratory therapist jobs: 40 Average annual salary: $68,755 Lowest 10 percent warn: $42,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $111,000 Location quotient: 1.34 2. New Orleans, LA
Respiratory therapist jobs in New OrleansTotal respiratory therapist jobs: 52 Average annual salary: $56,914 Lowest 10 percent warn: $30,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $105,000 Location quotient: 1.43 3. North Las Vegas, NV
Total respiratory therapist jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $67,198 Lowest 10 percent warn: $39,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $112,000 Location quotient: 0.92 4. Fort Wayne, IN
Respiratory therapist jobs in Fort WayneTotal respiratory therapist jobs: 29 Average annual salary: $53,842 Lowest 10 percent warn: $30,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $94,000 Location quotient: 1.26 5. Anchorage, AK
Respiratory therapist jobs in AnchorageTotal respiratory therapist jobs: 15 Average annual salary: $69,845 Lowest 10 percent warn: $63,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $76,000 Location quotient: 0.75 6. Nashville, TN
Respiratory therapist jobs in NashvilleTotal respiratory therapist jobs: 74 Average annual salary: $54,469 Lowest 10 percent warn: $30,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $96,000 Location quotient: 0.71 7. Lubbock, TX
Respiratory therapist jobs in LubbockTotal respiratory therapist jobs: 36 Average annual salary: $54,652 Lowest 10 percent warn: $30,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $96,000 Location quotient: 3.04 8. Las Vegas, NV
Respiratory therapist jobs in Las VegasTotal respiratory therapist jobs: 50 Average annual salary: $67,337 Lowest 10 percent warn: $40,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $113,000 Location quotient: 0.54 9. Tulsa, OK
Respiratory therapist jobs in TulsaTotal respiratory therapist jobs: 49 Average annual salary: $54,550 Lowest 10 percent warn: $31,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $94,000 Location quotient: 1.29 10. El Paso, TX
Respiratory therapist jobs in El PasoTotal respiratory therapist jobs: 29 Average annual salary: $56,412 Lowest 10 percent warn: $31,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $99,000 Location quotient: 1.28
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Best cities for respiratory therapists
- Reno, NV
- New Orleans, LA
- North Las Vegas, NV
- Fort Wayne, IN
- Anchorage, AK
- Nashville, TN
- Lubbock, TX
- Las Vegas, NV
- Tulsa, OK
- El Paso, TX
- (40 respiratory therapist jobs)
- (52 respiratory therapist jobs)
- (4 respiratory therapist jobs)
- (29 respiratory therapist jobs)
- (15 respiratory therapist jobs)
- (74 respiratory therapist jobs)
- (36 respiratory therapist jobs)
- (50 respiratory therapist jobs)
- (49 respiratory therapist jobs)
- (29 respiratory therapist jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a respiratory therapist
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reno, NV | $68,755 | $42,000 | 245,255 | 40 |
| 2 | New Orleans, LA | $56,914 | $30,000 | 391,495 | 52 |
| 3 | North Las Vegas, NV | $67,198 | $39,000 | 238,702 | 4 |
| 4 | Fort Wayne, IN | $53,842 | $30,000 | 264,488 | 29 |
| 5 | Anchorage, AK | $69,845 | $63,000 | 298,192 | 15 |
| 6 | Nashville, TN | $54,469 | $30,000 | 660,388 | 74 |
| 7 | Lubbock, TX | $54,652 | $30,000 | 252,506 | 36 |
| 8 | Las Vegas, NV | $67,337 | $40,000 | 632,912 | 50 |
| 9 | Tulsa, OK | $54,550 | $31,000 | 403,090 | 49 |
| 10 | El Paso, TX | $56,412 | $31,000 | 683,080 | 29 |
| 11 | Detroit, MI | $53,952 | $30,000 | 672,795 | 54 |
| 12 | Memphis, TN | $54,076 | $30,000 | 652,717 | 35 |
| 13 | Arlington, TX | $53,958 | $29,000 | 392,772 | 25 |
| 14 | Cincinnati, OH | $51,800 | $29,000 | 298,800 | 62 |
| 15 | Bakersfield, CA | $77,243 | $45,000 | 376,380 | 9 |
| 16 | Oklahoma City, OK | $54,466 | $31,000 | 638,367 | 65 |
| 17 | Columbus, OH | $51,990 | $29,000 | 860,090 | 107 |
| 18 | Fort Worth, TX | $53,978 | $30,000 | 854,113 | 49 |
| 19 | Fresno, CA | $77,748 | $46,000 | 522,053 | 8 |
| 20 | Wichita, KS | $53,267 | $31,000 | 389,902 | 35 |
| 21 | Winston-Salem, NC | $54,209 | $29,000 | 242,203 | 13 |
| 22 | Long Beach, CA | $75,414 | $44,000 | 470,130 | 8 |
| 23 | Henderson, NV | $67,223 | $39,000 | 292,969 | 3 |
| 24 | Stockton, CA | $78,330 | $47,000 | 307,072 | 4 |
| 25 | Mesa, AZ | $52,769 | $30,000 | 484,587 | 25 |
| 26 | Oakland, CA | $78,940 | $48,000 | 420,005 | 10 |
| 27 | Indianapolis, IN | $53,753 | $30,000 | 855,164 | 45 |
| 28 | Laredo, TX | $55,692 | $30,000 | 257,156 | 2 |
| 29 | Newark, NJ | $61,864 | $31,000 | 281,764 | 37 |
| 30 | Norfolk, VA | $57,614 | $30,000 | 245,115 | 35 |
| 31 | Sacramento, CA | $78,126 | $47,000 | 495,234 | 19 |
| 32 | Los Angeles, CA | $75,812 | $44,000 | 3,976,322 | 81 |
| 33 | Anaheim, CA | $75,358 | $44,000 | 351,043 | 5 |
| 34 | Milwaukee, WI | $54,607 | $32,000 | 595,047 | 40 |
| 35 | Saint Petersburg, FL | $54,519 | $28,000 | 260,999 | 31 |
| 36 | Toledo, OH | $51,199 | $28,000 | 278,508 | 11 |
| 37 | Madison, WI | $54,634 | $32,000 | 252,551 | 34 |
| 38 | Greensboro, NC | $54,342 | $29,000 | 287,027 | 13 |
| 39 | Saint Louis, MO | $51,998 | $30,000 | 311,404 | 119 |
| 40 | Cleveland, OH | $50,972 | $28,000 | 385,809 | 40 |
| 41 | San Diego, CA | $74,289 | $43,000 | 1,406,630 | 66 |
| 42 | Buffalo, NY | $68,729 | $36,000 | 256,902 | 12 |
| 43 | Corpus Christi, TX | $55,265 | $29,000 | 325,733 | 3 |
| 44 | Santa Ana, CA | $75,241 | $44,000 | 334,217 | 4 |
| 45 | Portland, OR | $63,250 | $42,000 | 639,863 | 41 |
| 46 | Durham, NC | $54,617 | $29,000 | 263,016 | 20 |
| 47 | Kansas City, MO | $51,833 | $30,000 | 481,420 | 73 |
| 48 | Omaha, NE | $50,033 | $30,000 | 446,970 | 69 |
| 49 | San Antonio, TX | $55,162 | $30,000 | 1,492,510 | 31 |
| 50 | Dallas, TX | $53,886 | $29,000 | 1,317,929 | 111 |
Highest paying cities for respiratory therapists
| Rank | City | Avg. respiratory therapist salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lancaster, CA | $76,431 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $70,157 |
| 3 | Reno, NV | $68,755 |
| 4 | Spokane, WA | $64,929 |
| 5 | Portland, OR | $63,250 |
| 6 | Baltimore, MD | $61,024 |
| 7 | Minneapolis, MN | $57,843 |
| 8 | New Orleans, LA | $56,914 |
| 9 | El Paso, TX | $56,412 |
| 10 | Colorado Springs, CO | $55,745 |
| 11 | Chicago, IL | $55,740 |
| 12 | Jacksonville, NC | $54,989 |
| 13 | Cleveland, TN | $54,892 |
| 14 | Jacksonville, FL | $54,751 |
| 15 | Madison, WI | $54,634 |
| 16 | Tulsa, OK | $54,550 |
| 17 | Grand Rapids, MI | $54,332 |
| 18 | Atlanta, GA | $54,254 |
| 19 | Columbus, IN | $53,772 |
| 20 | Kansas City, KS | $53,276 |
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Updated January 8, 2025