Respiratory Therapists Salary in California
Respiratory Therapists in California make a median of $102,120 a year, or about $49.1 an hour. The range runs from $78K at the entry level to $138K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $102K get you in California?
About respiratory therapists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level respiratory therapists (10th percentile) start around $78K. Mid-career wages sit at $102K.Top earners bring in $138K or more - a $60K spread from bottom to top.
Respiratory Therapists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $104K | +30% | 360 |
| New York | $104K | +29% | 6,780 |
| California | $102K | +27% | 18,310 |
| New Jersey | $98K | +22% | 3,200 |
| Washington | $97K | +21% | 1,850 |
| Massachusetts | $97K | +20% | 2,140 |
| Oregon | $96K | +19% | 1,410 |
| Hawaii | $95K | +18% | 310 |
| Alaska | $94K | +17% | 170 |
| Minnesota | $88K | +9% | 1,190 |
| Delaware | $87K | +9% | 410 |
| Maryland | $86K | +6% | 1,890 |
| New Hampshire | $84K | +4% | 390 |
| Rhode Island | $84K | +4% | 250 |
| Connecticut | $83K | +3% | 1,540 |
Track respiratory therapists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do respiratory therapists make in California?
The median is $102,120 a year - that works out to about $49.1 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $78,150, and experienced respiratory therapists can clear $138,000. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $102K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,216/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $2,201/month (median of metro areas), which eats 35.4% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a respiratory therapists salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median respiratory therapists salary is worth about $102,120 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do respiratory therapists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.