Respiratory Therapists Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Respiratory Therapists in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA make a median of $137,080 a year, or about $65.91 an hour. The range runs from $100K at the entry level to $172K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.42), so that salary is closer to $124,144 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,483/month — about 43% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $137K get you in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
About respiratory therapists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Entry-level respiratory therapists (10th percentile) start around $100K. Mid-career wages sit at $137K.Top earners bring in $172K or more - a $72K 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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do respiratory therapists make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median is $137,080 a year - that works out to about $65.91 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $100,090, and experienced respiratory therapists can clear $171,780. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $137K enough to live in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,963/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,483/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 43.7% 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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has a Regional Price Parity of 110.42 (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 $124,144 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.