Respiratory therapists in the US earn $70,540 on average — with critical care and travel positions commanding significantly higher pay.
Average Respiratory Therapist Salary in 2026
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Average RT salary | $70,540 |
| Median RT salary | $66,250 |
| Entry level (0-2 years) | $54,000 |
| Mid-career (5-10 years) | $68,000-$78,000 |
| Experienced (10+ years) | $78,000-$95,000 |
| Top 10% earn | $95,000+ |
| Hourly rate (average) | $33.91 |
Respiratory Therapist Salary by Experience
| Experience Level | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| New Grad (0-1 year) | $54,000 |
| Early Career (1-3 years) | $60,000 |
| Mid-Career (4-7 years) | $68,000 |
| Experienced (8-12 years) | $78,000 |
| Senior/Expert (12+ years) | $85,000+ |
| RT Manager/Director | $90,000-$120,000 |
RT Salary by Work Setting
| Setting | Average Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Travel RT | $85,000-$120,000 | + housing stipend |
| Hospital ICU/Critical Care | $72,000-$90,000 | Highest hospital pay |
| Neonatal/Pediatric ICU | $70,000-$85,000 | Specialized |
| General Hospital | $65,000-$78,000 | Base hospital |
| Home Health/DME | $55,000-$70,000 | Less acute |
| Sleep Lab | $58,000-$72,000 | Regular hours |
| Pulmonary Rehab | $60,000-$75,000 | Outpatient |
| Long-term Acute Care | $68,000-$82,000 | Complex patients |
Why Critical Care Pays More
ICU and critical care respiratory therapists earn premiums because:
- High-acuity patient management
- Ventilator expertise required
- Night/weekend shift differentials
- Life-or-death decisions
- Advanced certifications expected
RT Salary by State (Highest Paying)
| State | Average Salary | Cost of Living |
|---|---|---|
| California | $92,000 | Very High |
| Nevada | $82,000 | High |
| Hawaii | $80,000 | Very High |
| Alaska | $78,000 | High |
| Washington | $76,000 | High |
| Oregon | $74,000 | High |
| New York | $73,000 | Very High |
| Connecticut | $73,000 | High |
| New Jersey | $72,000 | High |
| Massachusetts | $72,000 | High |
Lowest Paying States
| State | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $52,000 |
| Mississippi | $53,000 |
| Arkansas | $54,000 |
| West Virginia | $55,000 |
| Oklahoma | $55,000 |
RT Salary by Certification/Specialty
| Certification | Average Salary | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist) | $70,540 | Base |
| RRT + ACCS (Adult Critical Care) | $78,000 | +10-15% |
| RRT + NPS (Neonatal/Pediatric) | $75,000 | +8-12% |
| RRT + SDS (Sleep Disorders) | $68,000 | +5% |
| RRT-NPS + ACCS (Dual specialty) | $82,000 | +15-20% |
| CPFT (Pulmonary Function) | $65,000 | — |
RT Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| San Francisco | $105,000 |
| San Jose | $100,000 |
| Los Angeles | $88,000 |
| Sacramento | $85,000 |
| Seattle | $80,000 |
| New York City | $78,000 |
| Las Vegas | $76,000 |
| Boston | $75,000 |
| Denver | $72,000 |
| Phoenix | $68,000 |
Shift Differentials for RTs
| Shift | Typical Differential |
|---|---|
| Night shift (7pm-7am) | +$3-6/hour |
| Weekend | +$2-4/hour |
| Holiday | +$5-10/hour or time-and-a-half |
| On-call | +$2-5/hour standby |
Night shift RTs can earn $5,000-$12,000 more annually through differentials.
RT Salary After Taxes
| Gross Salary | Federal Tax | FICA | State Tax (avg) | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $55,000 | $5,000 | $4,208 | $2,200 | $43,592 |
| $70,540 | $8,400 | $5,396 | $2,822 | $53,922 |
| $85,000 | $11,900 | $6,503 | $3,400 | $63,197 |
| $100,000 | $15,000 | $7,650 | $4,000 | $73,350 |
How to Increase RT Salary
- Become a travel RT — Earn $85K-$120K+ with housing
- Get ACCS certification — Critical care specialists earn 10-15% more
- Work night shift — $5K-$12K annual premium
- Move to high-paying states — California pays $92K average
- Pursue leadership — RT managers earn $90K-$120K
- Specialize in NICU/PICU — Pediatric specialists earn more
- Get dual certifications — ACCS + NPS for maximum pay
Job Outlook for Respiratory Therapists
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Projected growth (2022-2032) | 14% (much faster than average) |
| Annual job openings | 8,100 |
| Demand drivers | Aging population, chronic respiratory disease, COVID long-term effects |
| Hot areas | ICU, Home care, Sleep medicine |
RT vs Other Healthcare Salaries
| Role | Average Salary | Education |
|---|---|---|
| Respiratory Therapist | $70,540 | Associate/Bachelor’s |
| Registered Nurse | $81,220 | Associate/Bachelor’s |
| Radiology Tech | $65,140 | Associate |
| Surgical Tech | $54,620 | Associate/Certificate |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $61,180 | Associate |
Is Respiratory Therapy a Good Career?
Pros:
- Strong salary ($70K average)
- Excellent job growth (14%)
- Associate degree entry point
- Critical role in patient care
- Travel RT option for high earners
- Multiple specialization paths
Cons:
- Shift work (nights, weekends, holidays)
- High-stress situations
- Physical demands (long hours on feet)
- Exposure to illness
- Emotionally challenging (ICU patients)
RT Education & Licensing Costs
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| RT Associate Degree | $20,000-$50,000 |
| RT Bachelor’s Degree | $40,000-$100,000 |
| TMC/RRT Exam | $200-$300 |
| State License | $50-$200/year |
| ACCS Certification | $300 |
| CEU Requirements | $200-$500/year |
Bottom Line
Respiratory therapists earn $70,540/year on average, with travel RTs and critical care specialists earning $85,000-$120,000+. The profession offers excellent job growth (14%), relatively affordable education (associate degree), and multiple pathways to increase earnings through certifications, shift differentials, and travel positions.