Respiratory Therapist salary in Kansas City, MO-KS
Respiratory Therapists in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn a median of $79,140 a year ($38.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,190 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,140 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 1% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $78,390. There are 1.1 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $79,300, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Kansas City, MO-KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,100 | $30.34 |
| 25th percentile | $66,090 | $31.77 |
| Median | $79,140 | $38.05 |
| 75th percentile | $90,100 | $43.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,140 | $46.70 |
| Average (mean) | $79,300 | $38.13 |
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 | $6,595 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,297.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,043.85 |
| Weekly | $1,521.92 |
| Hourly | $38.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $79,140 salary, see how much house you can afford in Missouri 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 |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $79,210 | 1,260 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $77,500 | 50 |
| Topeka, KS | $77,190 | 120 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $73,860 | 50 |
| Springfield, MO | $72,490 | 310 |
| Wichita, KS | $71,330 | 320 |
| Columbia, MO | $69,400 | 150 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $66,910 | 90 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $65,630 | 150 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Kansas City, MO-KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $83,040 | $39.92 |
| Physicians, All Other | $126,260 | $60.70 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,760 | $62.87 |
| Pharmacist | $139,460 | $67.05 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,270 | $48.69 |
| Dental Hygienist | $92,750 | $44.59 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,840 | $48.00 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,120 | $41.40 |
| Dentists, General | $171,690 | $82.54 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $218,080 | $104.85 |
| Veterinarian | $122,490 | $58.89 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $213,950 | $102.86 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $69,820 | $33.57 |
| Physician Assistant | $133,350 | $64.11 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Kansas City, MO-KS
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 Kansas City, MO-KS?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area is $79,140 a year, or $38.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Kansas City, MO-KS?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn at least $97,140 a year. The top 25% earn $90,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Kansas City, MO-KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,100 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $66,090 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Kansas City, MO-KS?
About 1,190 respiratory therapists are employed in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.