Respiratory therapists in the US earn a median of $82,280 a year in base pay. The middle half earn between $74,520 and $98,730, and the top 10% earn more than $118,050 (BLS OEWS May 2025). To negotiate, aim for the part of that range that matches your experience — with 3–5 years, for example, $82,000 to $99,000 — and open slightly above it.
How much do respiratory therapists make?
| Percentile | Annual base pay |
|---|---|
| 10th | $63,660 |
| 25th | $74,520 |
| Median | $82,280 |
| 75th | $98,730 |
| 90th | $118,050 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 — Respiratory Therapists, national, about 139,790 jobs. BLS figures are base pay including commissions and production bonuses; they exclude year-end bonuses, stock, overtime and benefits.
Where respiratory therapists earn the most
| State | Median | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $111,950 | $127,400 |
| New York | $107,810 | $126,880 |
| California | $104,820 | $129,010 |
| Massachusetts | $102,170 | $107,930 |
| Washington | $101,130 | $106,150 |
Pay also differs within a state — big metro areas often pay more. Use your state's numbers when you set your target.
What should you ask for as a respiratory therapist?
| Experience | Suggested target range | Open with about |
|---|---|---|
| 0–2 years | $75,000–$82,000 | $86,000 |
| 3–5 years | $82,000–$99,000 | $104,000 |
| 6–10 years | $89,000–$105,000 | $110,000 |
| 10+ years | $99,000–$118,000 | $124,000 |
The ranges follow national percentiles by experience (25th–50th, 50th–75th, 60th–80th, 75th–90th); the opening number is the top of the range plus about 5%, rounded. Guidance, not a guarantee — check your state and experience, and see how to negotiate salary.
What drives respiratory therapist pay?
Respiratory therapists care for patients with breathing problems — from asthma to ventilator support in the ICU. Pay is usually hourly in hospitals and depends on credentials, critical-care experience, shift differentials and call.
- Credentials: RRT versus CRT, and specialty credentials for neonatal or pulmonary function.
- ICU, NICU or ECMO experience.
- Night, weekend and holiday differentials.
- Hospital clinical ladders and union scales.
Your leverage as a respiratory therapist
- RRT and specialty credentials.
- Critical care, neonatal or ECMO experience.
- Willingness to work nights or weekends.
- Precepting students or new therapists.
- Experience with the hospital's ventilators and protocols.
Only use leverage you really have. Never invent a competing offer.
Respiratory therapist objections and how to answer
| They say | You can say |
|---|---|
| “Our scale doesn't count your experience at a smaller hospital.” | “My [number] years included [ICU/NICU] care; could they be credited?” |
| “Specialty credentials don't change the rate.” | “Could we look at the clinical ladder level or a review after six months?” |
| “Differentials are fixed.” | “Then I'd like the base step to reflect my critical-care experience.” |
| “We'll train you on ECMO later.” | “Can we put the training date and the pay after it in writing?” |
Sample counter offer for a respiratory therapist
Thank you — I'm excited to join the department. With my RRT, [number] years in [ICU/NICU] and [specialty credential], I'm asking for [hourly rate] plus the night differential. The national median for respiratory therapists is $82,280.
Then stop talking and let them respond.
Asking for a raise as a respiratory therapist
Ask what the clinical ladder requires — credentials, education, committee work — and plan for it. Critical-care and neonatal skills are the usual step up.