Respiratory Therapist salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Respiratory Therapists in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn a median of $78,350 a year ($37.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,590 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 2% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $80,090. There are 0.85 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $87,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,900 | $30.72 |
| 25th percentile | $70,240 | $33.77 |
| Median | $78,350 | $37.67 |
| 75th percentile | $98,170 | $47.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,590 | $60.38 |
| Average (mean) | $87,370 | $42.01 |
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 | $6,529.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,264.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,013.46 |
| Weekly | $1,506.73 |
| Hourly | $37.67 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $78,350 salary, see how much house you can afford in North 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $87,820 | 430 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $82,020 | 1,110 |
| Asheville, NC | $81,550 | 150 |
| Wilmington, NC | $81,020 | 200 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $80,990 | 710 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $80,650 | 110 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $80,250 | 530 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $80,090 | 290 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $73,830 | 70 |
| Greenville, NC | $69,310 | 150 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $54,790 | 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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $80,060 | $38.49 |
| Physicians, All Other | $313,460 | $150.70 |
| Pharmacist | $137,180 | $65.95 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,620 | $60.87 |
| Physician Assistant | $127,210 | $61.16 |
| Dental Hygienist | $94,050 | $45.21 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,950 | $49.01 |
| Dentists, General | $193,320 | $92.94 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,120 | $41.40 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $213,630 | $102.71 |
| Occupational Therapist | $100,160 | $48.15 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $64,460 | $30.99 |
| Veterinarian | $124,970 | $60.08 |
| Optometrist | $136,920 | $65.83 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area is $78,350 a year, or $37.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn at least $125,590 a year. The top 25% earn $98,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,900 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $70,240 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
About 130 respiratory therapists are employed in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.