Respiratory Therapist salary in Altoona, PA
Respiratory Therapists in the Altoona, PA metro area earn a median of $59,980 a year ($28.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,550 for the top 10%. That is 27% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 24% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $78,490. There are 0.61 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.68). The average (mean) salary is $67,670, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Altoona, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,660 | $25.80 |
| 25th percentile | $59,980 | $28.84 |
| Median | $59,980 | $28.84 |
| 75th percentile | $76,960 | $37.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,550 | $38.25 |
| Average (mean) | $67,670 | $32.53 |
Half of respiratory therapists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,998.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,499.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,306.92 |
| Weekly | $1,153.46 |
| Hourly | $28.84 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $59,980 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Respiratory Therapist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $88,790 | 2,990 |
| Reading, PA | $84,330 | 130 |
| Lancaster, PA | $80,060 | 230 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $79,960 | 490 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $79,910 | 40 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $79,540 | 230 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $78,750 | 410 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $78,380 | 230 |
| Williamsport, PA | $78,300 | 50 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $75,470 | 1,220 |
| State College, PA | $73,690 | 60 |
| Johnstown, PA | $71,210 | 80 |
| Erie, PA | $62,480 | 110 |
Highest-paying states for respiratory therapists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $111,950 |
| New York | $107,810 |
| California | $104,820 |
| Massachusetts | $102,170 |
| Washington | $101,130 |
| New Jersey | $100,810 |
| Oregon | $100,560 |
| Minnesota | $98,710 |
| Alaska | $97,950 |
| New Hampshire | $95,940 |
See Respiratory Therapist pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Altoona, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $82,410 | $39.62 |
| Physicians, All Other | $279,160 | $134.21 |
| Physician Assistant | $123,270 | $59.27 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,710 | $46.98 |
| Pharmacist | $129,480 | $62.25 |
| Occupational Therapist | $86,900 | $41.78 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,470 | $41.57 |
| Dental Hygienist | $75,070 | $36.09 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $119,930 | $57.66 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $76,920 | $36.98 |
| Dentists, General | $117,110 | $56.30 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $59,680 | $28.69 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $40,870 | $19.65 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $36,810 | $17.70 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Altoona, PA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1126. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a respiratory therapist make in Altoona, PA?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Altoona, PA metro area is $59,980 a year, or $28.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Altoona, PA?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Altoona, PA metro area earn at least $79,550 a year. The top 25% earn $76,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Altoona, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,660 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $59,980 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Altoona, PA?
About 40 respiratory therapists are employed in the Altoona, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.