Respiratory Therapist salary in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
Respiratory Therapists in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area earn a median of $86,300 a year ($41.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 250 workers.
Pay ranges from $67,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $89,710 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 6% higher than the Florida statewide median of $81,160. There are 0.93 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $83,860, close to the median.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,670 | $32.54 |
| 25th percentile | $79,440 | $38.19 |
| Median | $86,300 | $41.49 |
| 75th percentile | $89,710 | $43.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $89,710 | $43.13 |
| Average (mean) | $83,860 | $40.32 |
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 | $7,191.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,595.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,319.23 |
| Weekly | $1,659.62 |
| Hourly | $41.49 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $86,300 salary, see how much house you can afford in Florida 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL | $83,310 | 90 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $83,110 | 260 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $82,860 | 190 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $82,070 | 1,190 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $81,760 | 670 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $81,630 | 1,320 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | $81,540 | 200 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $80,880 | 2,620 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | $80,680 | 350 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $80,530 | 70 |
| Tallahassee, FL | $78,950 | 150 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $78,740 | 250 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | $78,650 | 250 |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | $77,830 | 30 |
| Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL | $77,390 | 70 |
| Gainesville, FL | $76,170 | n/a |
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 Florida statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $84,030 | $40.40 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $125,720 | $60.44 |
| Pharmacist | $142,380 | $68.45 |
| Physical Therapist | $98,740 | $47.47 |
| Physicians, All Other | $295,940 | $142.28 |
| Dental Hygienist | $93,080 | $44.75 |
| Physician Assistant | $121,540 | $58.43 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,550 | $41.61 |
| Dentists, General | $205,300 | $98.70 |
| Occupational Therapist | $95,070 | $45.71 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $247,090 | $118.79 |
| Optometrist | $157,140 | $75.55 |
| Veterinarian | $129,810 | $62.41 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $71,100 | $34.19 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
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 Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area is $86,300 a year, or $41.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $67,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $89,710 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area earn at least $89,710 a year. The top 25% earn $89,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $67,670 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $79,440 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?
About 250 respiratory therapists are employed in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area, not counting the self-employed.