Respiratory Therapist salary in Iowa City, IA
Respiratory Therapists in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn a median of $75,110 a year ($36.11 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $66,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,510 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is about the same as the Iowa statewide median of $74,760. There are 1.6 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $76,700, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Iowa City, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,010 | $31.74 |
| 25th percentile | $67,870 | $32.63 |
| Median | $75,110 | $36.11 |
| 75th percentile | $86,510 | $41.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,510 | $41.59 |
| Average (mean) | $76,700 | $36.87 |
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 | $6,259.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,129.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,888.85 |
| Weekly | $1,444.42 |
| Hourly | $36.11 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $75,110 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 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $75,650 | 200 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $75,460 | 100 |
| 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 Iowa City, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $85,940 | $41.32 |
| Physicians, All Other | $257,340 | $123.72 |
| Pharmacist | $142,530 | $68.53 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,030 | $62.04 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,770 | $64.79 |
| Physical Therapist | $94,480 | $45.42 |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $86,880 | $41.77 |
| Dental Hygienist | $92,020 | $44.24 |
| Chiropractor | $77,970 | $37.49 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $82,590 | $39.71 |
| Occupational Therapist | $91,560 | $44.02 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $78,960 | $37.96 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $65,420 | $31.45 |
| Dentists, General | $199,410 | $95.87 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Iowa City, 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 Iowa City, IA?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Iowa City, IA metro area is $75,110 a year, or $36.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $66,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Iowa City, IA?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn at least $86,510 a year. The top 25% earn $86,510 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Iowa City, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,010 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $67,870 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Iowa City, IA?
About 150 respiratory therapists are employed in the Iowa City, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.