Respiratory Therapist salary in Baton Rouge, LA
Respiratory Therapists in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area earn a median of $74,220 a year ($35.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 320 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,060 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 1% lower than the Louisiana statewide median of $75,240. There are 0.78 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $77,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Baton Rouge, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,420 | $29.05 |
| 25th percentile | $63,930 | $30.74 |
| Median | $74,220 | $35.68 |
| 75th percentile | $81,580 | $39.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,060 | $47.15 |
| Average (mean) | $77,230 | $37.13 |
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 | $6,185 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,092.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,854.62 |
| Weekly | $1,427.31 |
| Hourly | $35.68 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $74,220 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $76,680 | 230 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $76,590 | 620 |
| Lafayette, LA | $76,210 | 290 |
| Hammond, LA | $75,990 | 80 |
| Monroe, LA | $75,770 | 90 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $73,940 | 280 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $73,680 | 60 |
| Alexandria, LA | $71,140 | 110 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $62,260 | 120 |
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 Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Baton Rouge, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,130 | $39.00 |
| Physicians, All Other | $413,620 | $198.86 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,070 | $62.05 |
| Pharmacist | $134,680 | $64.75 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $65,020 | $31.26 |
| Physical Therapist | $98,920 | $47.56 |
| Dentists, General | $185,430 | $89.15 |
| Occupational Therapist | $98,030 | $47.13 |
| Dental Hygienist | $92,700 | $44.57 |
| Physician Assistant | $130,670 | $62.82 |
| Veterinarian | $126,890 | $61.01 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $70,940 | $34.10 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $268,210 | $128.95 |
| Therapists, All Other | $100,390 | $48.26 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Baton Rouge, LA
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 Baton Rouge, LA?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area is $74,220 a year, or $35.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Baton Rouge, LA?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area earn at least $98,060 a year. The top 25% earn $81,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Baton Rouge, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,420 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $63,930 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Baton Rouge, LA?
About 320 respiratory therapists are employed in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.