Respiratory Therapists Salary in California
Respiratory Therapists in California earn a median annual wage of $104,820 —27.4% above the national median of $82,280. That ranks CA #3 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment concentration (1.14×) is close to the national average.
Highest-paying states for respiratory therapists
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $111,950 | $53.82 | 430 | 0.69 |
| 2 | New York | $107,810 | $51.83 | 7,010 | 0.81 |
| 3 | California | $104,820 | $50.40 | 18,650 | 1.14 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $102,170 | $49.12 | 2,220 | 0.68 |
| 5 | Washington | $101,130 | $48.62 | 1,860 | 0.58 |
| 6 | New Jersey | $100,810 | $48.47 | 3,350 | 0.87 |
| 7 | Oregon | $100,560 | $48.34 | 1,340 | 0.76 |
| 8 | Minnesota | $98,710 | $47.46 | 1,250 | 0.47 |
| 9 | Alaska | $97,950 | $47.09 | 180 | 0.62 |
| 10 | New Hampshire | $95,940 | $46.13 | 360 | 0.59 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | $140,270 | $97,550 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $79,750 | $64,400 |
| Pharmacy Technicians | $55,110 | $45,750 |
| Physicians, All Other | $281,590 | $265,930 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $76,010 | $62,930 |
| Nurse Practitioners | $168,520 | $132,300 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do respiratory therapists make in California?
The median annual wage for respiratory therapists in California is $104,820, or $50.40 per hour. That is 27.4% above the national median of $82,280.
What is the entry-level respiratory therapists salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $77,010 per year ($37.02/hour). The 25th percentile is $87,750.
How many people work as respiratory therapists in California?
About 18,650 people work in this occupation in California, or 1.0 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for respiratory therapists?
California ranks #3 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment concentration (1.14x) is close to the national average.
Which state pays respiratory therapists the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage at $111,950 per year, followed by New York ($107,810) and California ($104,820).