Respiratory Therapist salary in Bowling Green, KY
Respiratory Therapists in the Bowling Green, KY metro area earn a median of $68,490 a year ($32.93 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,390 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 6% lower than the Kentucky statewide median of $72,750. There are 1.2 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $70,240, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Bowling Green, KY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,940 | $29.30 |
| 25th percentile | $63,460 | $30.51 |
| Median | $68,490 | $32.93 |
| 75th percentile | $74,800 | $35.96 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,390 | $44.42 |
| Average (mean) | $70,240 | $33.77 |
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 | $5,707.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,853.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,634.23 |
| Weekly | $1,317.12 |
| Hourly | $32.93 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $68,490 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $81,600 | 1,300 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $80,040 | 430 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $79,150 | 60 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $76,560 | 840 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $76,100 | 80 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $74,040 | 40 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $66,040 | 270 |
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 Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Bowling Green, KY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $79,120 | $38.04 |
| Physical Therapist | $91,590 | $44.03 |
| Pharmacist | $134,980 | $64.90 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $112,970 | $54.31 |
| Occupational Therapist | $84,250 | $40.50 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $82,870 | $39.84 |
| Dental Hygienist | $75,690 | $36.39 |
| Physicians, All Other | $407,570 | $195.95 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $62,860 | $30.22 |
| Veterinarian | $97,260 | $46.76 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $37,210 | $17.89 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $60,830 | $29.25 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $44,770 | $21.52 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $61,450 | $29.54 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Bowling Green, KY
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 Bowling Green, KY?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Bowling Green, KY metro area is $68,490 a year, or $32.93 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Bowling Green, KY?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Bowling Green, KY metro area earn at least $92,390 a year. The top 25% earn $74,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Bowling Green, KY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,940 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $63,460 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Bowling Green, KY?
About 90 respiratory therapists are employed in the Bowling Green, KY metro area, not counting the self-employed.