Respiratory Therapist salary in Columbia, SC
Respiratory Therapists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $79,780 a year ($38.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 330 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,690 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 3% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $77,740. There are 0.83 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $75,320, close to the median.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,050 | $29.35 |
| 25th percentile | $67,920 | $32.66 |
| Median | $79,780 | $38.36 |
| 75th percentile | $82,760 | $39.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,690 | $40.72 |
| Average (mean) | $75,320 | $36.21 |
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 | $6,648.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,324.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,068.46 |
| Weekly | $1,534.23 |
| Hourly | $38.36 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $79,780 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 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $79,410 | 390 |
| 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 Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,920 | $39.39 |
| Pharmacist | $133,850 | $64.35 |
| Physicians, All Other | $374,300 | $179.95 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $118,470 | $56.96 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,840 | $48.00 |
| Dental Hygienist | $82,370 | $39.60 |
| Dentists, General | $228,820 | $110.01 |
| Physician Assistant | $115,840 | $55.69 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $87,820 | $42.22 |
| Occupational Therapist | $102,650 | $49.35 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $271,350 | $130.46 |
| Veterinarian | $129,960 | $62.48 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $68,080 | $32.73 |
| Chiropractor | $74,090 | $35.62 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, 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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Columbia, SC metro area is $79,780 a year, or $38.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $84,690 a year. The top 25% earn $82,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,050 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $67,920 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Columbia, SC?
About 330 respiratory therapists are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.