Respiratory Therapist salary in Arkansas
Respiratory Therapists in Arkansas earn a median of $73,870 a year ($35.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,400 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,480 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $82,280. Arkansas ranks 44th of 51 states for respiratory therapists pay. There are 1.1 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $72,740, close to the median.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Arkansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,550 | $28.63 |
| 25th percentile | $63,120 | $30.34 |
| Median | $73,870 | $35.51 |
| 75th percentile | $78,520 | $37.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $93,480 | $44.94 |
| Average (mean) | $72,740 | $34.97 |
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 | $6,155.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,077.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,841.15 |
| Weekly | $1,420.58 |
| Hourly | $35.51 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $73,870 salary, see how much house you can afford in Arkansas at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Respiratory Therapist salary in cities in Arkansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $78,880 | 110 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $78,080 | 100 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $77,720 | 220 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $75,300 | 530 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $66,460 | 670 |
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 |
Related jobs in Arkansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $78,940 | $37.95 |
| Physicians, All Other | $136,880 | $65.81 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $125,660 | $60.41 |
| Pharmacist | $136,060 | $65.41 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,010 | $47.60 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $83,580 | $40.18 |
| Occupational Therapist | $106,360 | $51.14 |
| Dental Hygienist | $86,760 | $41.71 |
| Dentists, General | $178,930 | $86.02 |
| Physician Assistant | $118,430 | $56.94 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $65,540 | $31.51 |
| Veterinarian | $107,710 | $51.79 |
| Therapists, All Other | $61,920 | $29.77 |
| Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric | $262,470 | $126.19 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Arkansas
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 Arkansas?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in Arkansas is $73,870 a year, or $35.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Arkansas?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in Arkansas earn at least $93,480 a year. The top 25% earn $78,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Arkansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,550 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $63,120 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Arkansas?
About 1,400 respiratory therapists are employed in Arkansas, not counting the self-employed.