Respiratory Therapist salary in Cleveland, OH
Respiratory Therapists in the Cleveland, OH metro area earn a median of $80,360 a year ($38.64 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,380 workers.
Pay ranges from $66,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,970 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 1% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $79,920. There are 1.3 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $82,130, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Cleveland, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,840 | $32.14 |
| 25th percentile | $77,960 | $37.48 |
| Median | $80,360 | $38.64 |
| 75th percentile | $85,960 | $41.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,970 | $46.62 |
| Average (mean) | $82,130 | $39.49 |
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 | $6,696.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,348.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,090.77 |
| Weekly | $1,545.38 |
| Hourly | $38.64 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $80,360 salary, see how much house you can afford in Ohio 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Toledo, OH | $82,280 | 350 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $82,200 | 180 |
| Columbus, OH | $81,860 | 1,220 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $81,600 | 1,300 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $81,420 | 610 |
| Akron, OH | $78,940 | 350 |
| Springfield, OH | $78,020 | n/a |
| Lima, OH | $77,570 | 90 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $75,650 | 160 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $73,840 | 60 |
| Mansfield, OH | $72,860 | 50 |
| Sandusky, OH | $69,360 | 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 Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cleveland, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $83,940 | $40.36 |
| Physicians, All Other | $248,400 | $119.42 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,800 | $62.89 |
| Pharmacist | $140,690 | $67.64 |
| Physical Therapist | $104,030 | $50.02 |
| Dental Hygienist | $88,990 | $42.78 |
| Occupational Therapist | $103,060 | $49.55 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $98,900 | $47.55 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,860 | $65.32 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $71,240 | $34.25 |
| Pediatricians, General | $217,970 | $104.80 |
| Veterinarian | $128,610 | $61.83 |
| Dentists, General | $154,800 | $74.42 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $231,830 | $111.46 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Cleveland, OH
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 Cleveland, OH?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Cleveland, OH metro area is $80,360 a year, or $38.64 an hour. Pay ranges from $66,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,970 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Cleveland, OH?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Cleveland, OH metro area earn at least $96,970 a year. The top 25% earn $85,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Cleveland, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,840 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $77,960 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Cleveland, OH?
About 1,380 respiratory therapists are employed in the Cleveland, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.