Respiratory Therapist salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Respiratory Therapists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $75,650 a year ($36.37 an hour), based on BLS data for 200 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,260 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 1% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $74,760. There are 0.48 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.54). The average (mean) salary is $74,040, close to the median.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,740 | $30.64 |
| 25th percentile | $63,790 | $30.67 |
| Median | $75,650 | $36.37 |
| 75th percentile | $78,800 | $37.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,260 | $40.51 |
| Average (mean) | $74,040 | $35.60 |
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 | $6,304.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,152.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,909.62 |
| Weekly | $1,454.81 |
| Hourly | $36.37 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $75,650 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $81,270 | 460 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $75,460 | 100 |
| Iowa City, IA | $75,110 | 150 |
| Dubuque, IA | $74,190 | 40 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $66,830 | 70 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $65,070 | 70 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $63,800 | 40 |
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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $78,630 | $37.80 |
| Pharmacist | $141,110 | $67.84 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,230 | $63.57 |
| Dental Hygienist | $93,660 | $45.03 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,790 | $47.02 |
| Physicians, All Other | $309,880 | $148.98 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $84,080 | $40.42 |
| Dentists, General | $209,300 | $100.62 |
| Occupational Therapist | $78,770 | $37.87 |
| Physician Assistant | $133,830 | $64.34 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $265,200 | $127.50 |
| Chiropractor | $74,810 | $35.96 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $65,820 | $31.64 |
| Veterinarian | $130,900 | $62.93 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $75,650 a year, or $36.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $84,260 a year. The top 25% earn $78,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,740 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $63,790 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 200 respiratory therapists are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.