Registered Respiratory Therapist Salary Guide
Average Registered Respiratory Therapist Salary
$40.99/hour
The average salary for a Registered Respiratory Therapist is $40.99 per hour. This is 10% lower than the practicing US average of $45.22.
Last updated on October 26, 2026. Based on active jobs on Vivian.com.
Salaries for Registered Respiratory Therapist compared to Allied Health Professional National Averages
$40.99/hour
10% lower than the practicing US average.
$45.22/hour
United States
Where do Registered Respiratory Therapists get paid the most?
Colorado pays Registered Respiratory Therapists the most, averaging $55 per hour, followed by Missouri ($50) and Massachusetts ($44). Missouri has the highest ceiling, with max hourly pay reaching $85. For comparison, the national average for Registered Respiratory Therapists is $41 per hour — Colorado pays 35% more.
| State | Average Hourly Salary | Max Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | $55 | $84 |
| Missouri | $50 | $85 |
| Massachusetts | $44 | $59 |
| Arizona | $44 | $62 |
| Illinois | $42 | $53 |
| Texas | $40 | $51 |
| Michigan | $38 | $45 |
| Florida | $31 | $49 |
| South Carolina | $27 | $45 |
What are the highest paying Employers and Agencies for Registered Respiratory Therapist jobs?
Tenet Massachusetts pays Registered Respiratory Therapists the most, averaging $41 per hour, followed by Lee Health ($41) and Medical Solutions Direct Hire ($39). Medical Solutions Direct Hire has the highest ceiling, with max hourly pay reaching $48. For comparison, the national average for Registered Respiratory Therapists is $41 per hour — Tenet Massachusetts pays 1% more.
| Average Hourly Salary | Max Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|
| Tenet Massachusetts | $41 | $43 |
| Lee Health | $41 | $41 |
| Medical Solutions Direct Hire | $39 | $48 |
| Patterns Hiring - Perm | $39 | $48 |
| Detroit Medical Center | $39 | $39 |
| BJC HealthCare | $37 | $43 |
| CoreMedical Group Perm | $37 | $42 |
| Medasource | $37 | $37 |
| Perm Staff Jobs | $37 | $37 |
| Tenet-AZ Region | $27 | $32 |
Last updated on October 26, 2026. Information based on active jobs on Vivian.com and pay data from BLS and around the web.
Registered Respiratory Therapist Career Guide
Use our exclusive Career Guides to research the education, qualifications, skills and responsibilities for a variety of healthcare disciplines and specialties employers are hiring now.
Go to the guideTop Registered Respiratory Therapist Jobs
Respiratory Therapist
- Medical Solutions Direct Hire
- White Plains, NY
- 3x12 hrs, Nights
$50-63/hour
Registered Respiratory Therapist
- Patterns Hiring - Perm
- Newport, OR
- 3x12 hrs
- Relocation Bonus
$72K-120K/year
approximately $38-65/hrRegistered Respiratory Therapist
- Patterns Hiring - Perm
- Southborough, MA
- 5x8 hrs, Days
$45-50/hour
Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Respiratory Therapist
- Gold Coast Healthcare Staffing
- Norfolk, VA
- 5x8 hrs
$89K/year
approximately $43/hrRespiratory Therapist
- Centra Healthcare QIA
- Peterborough, NH
- 3x12 hrs, Rotating
$83K-95K/year
approximately $44-51/hrGet alerts about new jobs and salary trends
Be the first to know about new jobs for Registered Respiratory Therapists with the salary that suits you.
Featured Blog Posts
Featured Blog Posts
Registered Respiratory Therapist FAQs
What professional certifications can potentially increase my salary as a Registered Respiratory Therapist?
Earning your Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT), RRT - Adult Critical Care Specialty (RRT-ACCS), Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT), Sleep Disorders Specialist (CRT-SDS or RRT-SDS) or Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) often increases your salary potential as a registered respiratory therapist or makes you eligible for another position with greater responsibilities, which also might include a bump in wages.
Can having a Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT) boost my salary as a Registered Respiratory Therapist?
Yes, having a Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT) or any relevant professional certification has the potential to boost your salary as a registered respiratory therapist.
Can having a RRT - Adult Critical Care Specialty (RRT-ACCS) boost my salary as a Registered Respiratory Therapist?
Yes, having a RRT - Adult Critical Care Specialty (RRT-ACCS) or any relevant professional certification has the potential to boost your salary as a registered respiratory therapist.
Can having a Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT) boost my salary as a Registered Respiratory Therapist?
Yes, having a Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT) or any relevant professional certification has the potential to boost your salary as a registered respiratory therapist.
Can having a Sleep Disorders Specialist (CRT-SDS or RRT-SDS) boost my salary as a Registered Respiratory Therapist?
Yes, having a Sleep Disorders Specialist (CRT-SDS or RRT-SDS) or any relevant professional certification has the potential to boost your salary as a registered respiratory therapist.
Can having a Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) boost my salary as a Registered Respiratory Therapist?
Yes, having a Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) or any relevant professional certification has the potential to boost your salary as a registered respiratory therapist.
Where can I learn more about working as a Registered Respiratory Therapist?
Take a look at Vivian's Registered Respiratory Therapist Career Guide for more information, including required education, responsibilities, pros and cons and more.