Respiratory Therapists Salary
Respiratory Therapists in District of Columbia make a median of $111,950 a year, or about $53.82 an hour. The range runs from $77K at the entry level to $127K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $102,820 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,146/month, about 31.1% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across District of Columbia. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $112K get you in District of Columbia?
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What this looks like in District of Columbia
District of Columbia sits well above the national pay line for respiratory therapists, local pay runs about 36% higher than the U.S. median of $82K. Rent runs $2,146/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 32% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost-of-living overall is 9% above the national average (BEA RPP 108.88), so groceries and services cost more too. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, District of Columbia
Entry-level respiratory therapists (10th percentile) start around $77K. Mid-career wages sit at $112K. Top earners bring in $127K or more, a $50K spread from bottom to top.
Respiratory Therapists salary by metro in District of Columbia
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | $102K | -9% | 1,850 |
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Track respiratory therapists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when District of Columbia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a respiratory therapist afford a 2BR apartment alone in District of Columbia?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $112K, rent takes 32% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,146/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $2,000/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for respiratory therapists in District of Columbia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new respiratory therapists typically earn — is $77K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,634/month. At HUD’s $2,146/month FMR, rent would take 46% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is respiratory therapist a high-paying job in District of Columbia?
Local pay is 36% above the national median — $112K here vs. $82K nationally. Keep in mind cost of living here is 9% above the national average, which offsets some of that premium.
How does District of Columbia compare to the national average for respiratory therapists?
District of Columbia pays $112K median vs. the U.S. average of $82K — that’s +36%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 108.88), the purchasing-power equivalent is $103K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do respiratory therapists make in District of Columbia?
The median is $111,950 a year, that works out to about $54 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $77,240, and experienced respiratory therapists can clear $127,400. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $112K enough to live in District of Columbia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,706/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,146/month, which eats 32% 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 District of Columbia?
District of Columbia has a Regional Price Parity of 108.88 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median respiratory therapists salary is worth about $102,820 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.