Respiratory Therapists Salary in Kentucky
Respiratory Therapists in Kentucky make a median of $65,670 a year, or about $31.57 an hour. The range runs from $52K at the entry level to $81K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Kentucky. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $66K get you in Kentucky?
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Kentucky
Entry-level respiratory therapists (10th percentile) start around $52K. Mid-career wages sit at $66K. Top earners bring in $81K or more, a $29K spread from bottom to top.
Respiratory Therapists salary by metro in Kentucky
6 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County | $73K | +12% | 990 |
| Lexington-Fayette | $68K | +3% | 440 |
| Paducah | $65K | -1% | 110 |
| Owensboro | $64K | -2% | 50 |
| Bowling Green | $62K | -5% | 120 |
| Elizabethtown | $62K | -6% | 60 |
Compare to other states
Track respiratory therapists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Kentucky numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do respiratory therapists make in Kentucky?
The median is $65,670 a year, that works out to about $32 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $52,060, and experienced respiratory therapists can clear $81,110. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $66K enough to live in Kentucky?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,330/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,110/month, which eats 25.6% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a respiratory therapists salary go in Kentucky?
Kentucky 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 $72,781 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.