Respiratory Therapist salary in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Respiratory Therapists in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn a median of $80,790 a year ($38.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,910 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,950 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 1% higher than the Michigan statewide median of $79,850. There are 1.0 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $80,360, close to the median.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,850 | $31.66 |
| 25th percentile | $77,410 | $37.22 |
| Median | $80,790 | $38.84 |
| 75th percentile | $85,970 | $41.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,950 | $43.73 |
| Average (mean) | $80,360 | $38.64 |
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 | $6,732.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,366.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,107.31 |
| Weekly | $1,553.65 |
| Hourly | $38.84 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $80,790 salary, see how much house you can afford in Michigan 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Battle Creek, MI | $81,440 | 60 |
| Monroe, MI | $81,290 | 30 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $79,850 | 390 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $79,450 | 110 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $78,530 | 160 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $78,070 | 690 |
| Flint, MI | $77,760 | 150 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $76,220 | 130 |
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 Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $97,280 | $46.77 |
| Physicians, All Other | $68,220 | $32.80 |
| Pharmacist | $137,770 | $66.24 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,480 | $40.61 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,970 | $49.51 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $134,390 | $64.61 |
| Physician Assistant | $131,830 | $63.38 |
| Occupational Therapist | $89,600 | $43.08 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $181,990 | $87.50 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $89,640 | $43.09 |
| Dentists, General | $167,860 | $80.70 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $149,990 | $72.11 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $243,130 | $116.89 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $68,390 | $32.88 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $80,790 a year, or $38.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn at least $90,950 a year. The top 25% earn $85,970 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,850 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $77,410 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
About 1,910 respiratory therapists are employed in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.