Respiratory Therapist salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Respiratory Therapists in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn a median of $79,410 a year ($38.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 390 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,670 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 2% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $77,740. There are 0.99 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $81,270, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,020 | $28.85 |
| 25th percentile | $74,730 | $35.93 |
| Median | $79,410 | $38.18 |
| 75th percentile | $90,670 | $43.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,670 | $43.59 |
| Average (mean) | $81,270 | $39.07 |
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 | $6,617.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,308.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,054.23 |
| Weekly | $1,527.12 |
| Hourly | $38.18 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $79,410 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $82,020 | 1,110 |
| Columbia, SC | $79,780 | 330 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $78,560 | 350 |
| Florence, SC | $78,550 | 100 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $78,390 | 400 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $76,440 | 150 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $67,700 | 220 |
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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $92,800 | $44.62 |
| Physicians, All Other | $163,900 | $78.80 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,780 | $61.43 |
| Pharmacist | $145,950 | $70.17 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,550 | $48.82 |
| Physician Assistant | $128,920 | $61.98 |
| Dental Hygienist | $94,570 | $45.46 |
| Dentists, General | $121,090 | $58.22 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $98,790 | $47.50 |
| Veterinarian | $122,130 | $58.72 |
| Occupational Therapist | $98,530 | $47.37 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $255,650 | $122.91 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $76,550 | $36.80 |
| Chiropractor | $76,750 | $36.90 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
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 Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $79,410 a year, or $38.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn at least $90,670 a year. The top 25% earn $90,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,020 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $74,730 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
About 390 respiratory therapists are employed in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.