Respiratory Therapist salary 2026
Do you wish to explore the medical field?
Figure out the respiratory therapist salary in the United States and learn how to become one.|
Related: Oncologist salary in the US
How much does a respiratory therapist earn annually?
The respiratory therapist salary in the US is $105,403 in a year. An entry-level respiratory therapist’s salary is around $80,689 per year. Meanwhile, senior RTs can earn up to $137,686 annually.
RTs make around $7,463 per month and approximately $1,929 in a week. Moreover, the daily respiratory therapist salary is around $468 with a $45.21 hourly pay rate.
The average RTs in California earn up to $117,160 annually. This annual pay rate is 11% higher than the rest of the US combined.
Who is an RT in the healthcare field?
RTs or respiratory therapists are professionals who work in the medical industry. They deal with patients who have medical concerns related to their breathing or respiratory organs.
These medical individuals aren’t doctors themselves but work with other specialized doctors to cure patients with respiratory illnesses.
What are the criteria for becoming a respiratory therapist?
If you’re interested in becoming an RT, you must:
- Get a four- or two-year undergrad degree. You can get better job opportunities if you acquire a bachelor’s degree.
- Give preference to an RRT certification over a general CRT certification.
- Get your license to practice as a respiratory therapist.
Comparing salaries by state for respiratory therapists
The respiratory therapist salary in Florida is estimated to be around $38.57 per hour. It is 15% less than the average hourly income of RTs in America.
An average RT in Texas can earn up to $5,604 per month, which is 25% less than the US.
RTs in Georgia make 10 percent less than those in the US, with a daily pay rate of $419.
The annual respiratory therapist salary in the UK is around £56,297. This annual pay rate is 28% less than what RTs earn in the US.
| RT Salary | United States | Florida | California | Georgia | Texas | United Kingdoms |
| Yearly rate | $105,403 | $89,920 | $117,160 | $94,369 | $79,146 | £56,297 |
| Monthly rate | $7,463 | $6,367 | $8,295 | $6,681 | $5,604 | £3,986 |
| Weekly rate | $1,929 | $1,645 | $2,144 | $1,727 | $1,448 | £1,030 |
| Daily rate | $468 | $399 | $520 | $419 | $351 | £309 |
| Hourly rate | $45.21 | $38.57 | $50.25 | $40.47 | $33.94 | £29.96 |
| Difference | – | 15% lower | 11% higher | 10% lower | 25% lower | 28% lower |
Skills you should have as an RT
Acquire these popular soft and hard skills as a Respiratory therapist to get the job you desire:
- Equipment Management
- Empathy
- Patience
- Patient care
- Patient Assessment
- Interpersonal skills
You can get selected based on your skill set, but mentioning skills in your resume is also a task!
Do you want a resume with all your skills and experience that can capture a recruiter’s attention? ProResumes can do it for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are the cons or disadvantages of being an RT?
The drawbacks of being a respiratory therapist are that it’s a demanding job if one works in a big hospital. Moreover, since RTs aren’t doctors, they don’t get paid much and face emotional and physical fatigue.