Respiratory Therapist salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Respiratory Therapists in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn a median of $86,720 a year ($41.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 510 workers.
Pay ranges from $73,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,020 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 20% lower than the New York statewide median of $107,810. There are 0.96 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $88,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,040 | $35.11 |
| 25th percentile | $83,880 | $40.33 |
| Median | $86,720 | $41.69 |
| 75th percentile | $96,480 | $46.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,020 | $49.05 |
| Average (mean) | $88,460 | $42.53 |
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 | $7,226.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,613.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,335.38 |
| Weekly | $1,667.69 |
| Hourly | $41.69 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $86,720 salary, see how much house you can afford in New York 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 |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $110,490 | 7,010 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $106,910 | 240 |
| Binghamton, NY | $103,200 | 100 |
| Kingston, NY | $95,170 | 60 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $91,610 | 90 |
| Syracuse, NY | $85,860 | 280 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $85,250 | 300 |
| Rochester, NY | $82,990 | 410 |
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 New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $99,060 | $47.63 |
| Physicians, All Other | $108,510 | $52.17 |
| Physical Therapist | $95,800 | $46.06 |
| Pharmacist | $137,900 | $66.30 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,220 | $63.57 |
| Physician Assistant | $126,360 | $60.75 |
| Occupational Therapist | $81,560 | $39.21 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $82,890 | $39.85 |
| Dental Hygienist | $82,470 | $39.65 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $77,990 | $37.49 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $186,600 | $89.71 |
| Dentists, General | $178,260 | $85.70 |
| Veterinarian | $127,500 | $61.30 |
| Emergency Medicine Physician | $303,190 | $145.76 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
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 Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area is $86,720 a year, or $41.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $73,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn at least $102,020 a year. The top 25% earn $96,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $73,040 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $83,880 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
About 510 respiratory therapists are employed in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.