Respiratory Therapists
SOC 29-1126 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Respiratory Therapists is $77,960, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $80,340, and an estimated 129,750 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +24.1% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of +5.4% after inflation. BLS projects employment will grow 12.1% between 2024 and 2034.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Respiratory Therapists has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $77,960 | $77,960 | 129,750 |
| 2022 | $70,540 | $73,444 | 129,910 |
| 2021 | $61,830 | $69,527 | 133,410 |
| 2020 | $62,810 | $73,947 | 131,890 |
Nominal change
+24.1%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
+5.4%
Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)
The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).
Projected Growth
+12.1%
Much faster than average
Employment 2024
139,600
Projected 2034
156,400
Annual Openings
8,800
Typical entry-level education: Associate's degree.
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Respiratory Therapists earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $77,960. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $106,480 | +36.6% | 360 |
| North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $106,030 | +36% | 110 |
| Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $101,450 | +30.1% | 60 |
| California | $101,200 | +29.8% | 15,480 |
| New York | $98,640 | +26.5% | 6,540 |
| New Jersey | $94,220 | +20.9% | 3,300 |
| Alaska | $94,030 | +20.6% | 130 |
| Alaska nonmetropolitan area | $94,030 | +20.6% | 30 |
| Hawaii | $90,860 | +16.5% | 330 |
| Western Washington nonmetropolitan area | $89,480 | +14.8% | 60 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$59,180
25th Pct
$65,530
Median
$77,960
75th Pct
$88,820
90th Pct
$104,480
H-1B Employer Filings
Employer-certified wages from DOL H-1B LCA filings — competitive market benchmark, not approved visas.
| Employer | State | Filings | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation | MP | 1 | $89,720 |
| Cambridge Public Health Commission | MA | 1 | $80,766 |
Source: DOL Office of Foreign Labor Certification, H-1B LCA data.
Related Occupations in Healthcare Practitioners & Technical
Other occupations in the same SOC major group, ranked by national median wage.
All Healthcare Practitioners & Technical occupations →