Respiratory Therapist salary in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL
Respiratory Therapists in the Cape Girardeau, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $66,910 a year ($32.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,030 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 15% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $78,390. There are 1.9 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $70,820, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,590 | $28.17 |
| 25th percentile | $64,450 | $30.99 |
| Median | $66,910 | $32.17 |
| 75th percentile | $79,200 | $38.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,030 | $39.92 |
| Average (mean) | $70,820 | $34.05 |
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 | $5,575.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,787.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,573.46 |
| Weekly | $1,286.73 |
| Hourly | $32.17 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $66,910 salary, see how much house you can afford in Missouri 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $87,060 | 3,620 |
| Kankakee, IL | $84,490 | 60 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $79,210 | 1,260 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $79,140 | 1,190 |
| Springfield, IL | $78,340 | 140 |
| Peoria, IL | $77,660 | 210 |
| Rockford, IL | $77,640 | 160 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $77,500 | 50 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $76,100 | 80 |
| Bloomington, IL | $75,490 | 70 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $75,460 | 100 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $74,660 | 120 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $73,860 | 50 |
| Springfield, MO | $72,490 | 310 |
| Columbia, MO | $69,400 | 150 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $65,630 | 150 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $82,640 | $39.73 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,000 | $62.50 |
| Pharmacist | $141,250 | $67.91 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,420 | $48.28 |
| Dental Hygienist | $83,690 | $40.24 |
| Physicians, All Other | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $97,900 | $47.07 |
| Occupational Therapist | $98,990 | $47.59 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $60,200 | $28.94 |
| Physician Assistant | $141,080 | $67.83 |
| Veterinarian | $100,360 | $48.25 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $60,100 | $28.90 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $35,910 | $17.26 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $51,900 | $24.95 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL
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 Cape Girardeau, MO-IL?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Cape Girardeau, MO-IL metro area is $66,910 a year, or $32.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Cape Girardeau, MO-IL metro area earn at least $83,030 a year. The top 25% earn $79,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,590 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $64,450 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL?
About 90 respiratory therapists are employed in the Cape Girardeau, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.