Respiratory therapists manage airways, ventilators, and breathing treatments for patients from premature infants to ICU adults. Here’s what RTs actually earn across the country.
RT Salary by Setting
| Setting | Median Salary | Hourly Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel/Agency RT | $100,000+ | $48-$65 | 13-week contracts, housing included |
| NICU (Neonatal ICU) | $85,000 | $41 | Specialized, high demand |
| ICU/Critical Care | $82,000 | $39 | Ventilator management, highest acuity |
| Hospital (General) | $78,000 | $38 | Floor therapy, ER support |
| Pulmonary Function Lab | $76,000 | $37 | PFTs, diagnostic testing |
| Sleep Lab/Polysomnography | $72,000 | $35 | Night shifts, separate credential option |
| Rehabilitation Center | $70,000 | $34 | Long-term vent weaning |
| Home Health/DME | $65,000 | $31 | Patient education, equipment setup |
| Physician Office | $62,000 | $30 | Outpatient, lower acuity |
RT Salary by State
| Rank | State | Mean Salary | Entry-Level | CoL-Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $95,000 | $75,000 | $68,300 |
| 2 | New York | $90,000 | $70,000 | $73,200 |
| 3 | New Jersey | $88,000 | $68,000 | $78,600 |
| 4 | Connecticut | $87,000 | $67,000 | $75,300 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $86,000 | $66,000 | $72,300 |
| 6 | Hawaii | $85,000 | $65,000 | $62,500 |
| 7 | Alaska | $84,000 | $65,000 | $74,600 |
| 8 | Washington | $83,000 | $64,000 | $75,500 |
| 9 | Nevada | $82,000 | $63,000 | $83,700 |
| 10 | Oregon | $80,000 | $62,000 | $70,800 |
| — | National | $77,000 | $58,000 | — |
| 46 | Mississippi | $55,000 | $43,000 | $62,100 |
| 47 | Alabama | $54,000 | $42,000 | $58,700 |
| 48 | West Virginia | $53,000 | $42,000 | $62,400 |
| 49 | Arkansas | $52,000 | $41,000 | $58,700 |
| 50 | Oklahoma | $51,000 | $40,000 | $56,400 |
RT Salary by Experience
| Experience Level | Median Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| New Graduate (0-1 year) | $58,000 | $28 |
| Early Career (1-3 years) | $65,000 | $31 |
| Mid-Career (3-7 years) | $75,000 | $36 |
| Experienced (7-15 years) | $82,000 | $39 |
| Senior (15+ years) | $88,000 | $42 |
RT Career Path
| Role | Salary Range | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Staff RT (General) | $58,000-$78,000 | RRT credential |
| ICU/Critical Care RT | $72,000-$92,000 | RRT + experience |
| NICU RT | $75,000-$95,000 | RRT + neonatal specialty |
| Lead/Charge RT | $78,000-$95,000 | 5+ years experience |
| RT Supervisor | $80,000-$100,000 | 7+ years + leadership |
| RT Manager/Director | $90,000-$130,000 | Bachelor’s/Master’s + 10+ years |
| RT Educator | $75,000-$95,000 | Master’s preferred |
| Pulmonary Function Specialist | $72,000-$88,000 | CPFT/RPFT credential |
RT vs. Similar Healthcare Careers
| Career | Median Salary | Education | Job Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $86,000 | ADN/BSN (2-4 yr) | +6% |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $84,000 | Associate (2 yr) | +15% |
| Respiratory Therapist | $77,000 | Associate (2 yr) | +13% |
| Radiologic Technologist | $73,000 | Associate (2 yr) | +6% |
| Surgical Technologist | $60,000 | Associate (2 yr) | +6% |
| Medical Assistant | $42,000 | Certificate (1 yr) | +15% |
How to Maximize RT Salary
| Strategy | Potential Increase |
|---|---|
| Travel RT assignments | +$15,000-$40,000+ |
| Specialize in NICU | +$5,000-$15,000 |
| Work ICU/Critical Care | +$3,000-$12,000 |
| Night/weekend shift differentials | +$3,000-$8,000 |
| Get ACCS (Adult Critical Care) credential | +$2,000-$5,000 |
| Get NPS (Neonatal/Pediatric) credential | +$2,000-$5,000 |
| Move to a high-paying state | +$10,000-$25,000 |
| Earn a bachelor’s degree | Opens management track |
| Take manager/director role | +$15,000-$40,000 |
RT Income vs. Education Cost
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Associate degree cost | $12,000-$30,000 |
| Bachelor’s degree cost | $40,000-$80,000 |
| Average student debt | $18,000-$35,000 |
| Starting salary | $58,000-$65,000 |
| Debt-to-income ratio | 0.3-0.6x |
| Time to pay off | 2-4 years |
Very manageable education cost relative to earning potential.
Job Market & Outlook
| Factor | Status |
|---|---|
| Job growth (2024-2034) | +13% (much faster than average) |
| Positions added annually | ~11,000 |
| Total employed | ~136,000 |
| Post-pandemic demand | Elevated — critical role in hospital care |
| Rural shortages | Significant |
| Travel RT demand | Very strong |
| Bachelor’s preference | Growing (many hospitals shifting) |
Work-Life Balance
| Setting | Typical Schedule | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital (day shift) | 5x 8hr or 3x 12hr | Good |
| Hospital (rotating) | Days/nights/weekends | Moderate |
| Hospital (nights only) | 3x 12hr | Moderate (with differential) |
| Outpatient/PFT Lab | M-F, 8-5 | Excellent |
| Home Health | M-F, flexible | Good |
| Travel RT | 13-week contracts | Flexible (but relocating) |
Related: Radiologic Technologist Salary | Average Nurse Salary | Paramedic Salary