Respiratory Therapist salary in District of Columbia
Respiratory Therapists in District of Columbia earn a median of $111,950 a year ($53.82 an hour), based on BLS data for 430 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,400 for the top 10%. That is 36% higher than the national median of $82,280. District of Columbia ranks 1st of 51 states for respiratory therapists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.62 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.69). The average (mean) salary is $108,020, close to the median.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,240 | $37.13 |
| 25th percentile | $98,900 | $47.55 |
| Median | $111,950 | $53.82 |
| 75th percentile | $127,400 | $61.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,400 | $61.25 |
| Average (mean) | $108,020 | $51.93 |
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 | $9,329.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,664.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,305.77 |
| Weekly | $2,152.88 |
| Hourly | $53.82 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $111,950 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Respiratory Therapist salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $101,990 | 1,850 |
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 |
Related jobs in District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $102,540 | $49.30 |
| Physicians, All Other | $77,430 | $37.23 |
| Pharmacist | $153,400 | $73.75 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $135,880 | $65.33 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,640 | $48.87 |
| Occupational Therapist | $109,170 | $52.49 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $223,250 | $107.33 |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $151,990 | $73.07 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,140 | $64.97 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $109,380 | $52.59 |
| Dental Hygienist | $137,220 | $65.97 |
| Psychiatrist | $183,080 | $88.02 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $82,150 | $39.50 |
| Veterinarian | $134,530 | $64.68 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in District of Columbia is $111,950 a year, or $53.82 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in District of Columbia earn at least $127,400 a year. The top 25% earn $127,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,240 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $98,900 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in District of Columbia?
About 430 respiratory therapists are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.