Respiratory Therapist salary in Lexington-Fayette, KY
Respiratory Therapists in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn a median of $80,040 a year ($38.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 430 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,430 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 10% higher than the Kentucky statewide median of $72,750. There are 1.5 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $78,710, close to the median.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Lexington-Fayette, KY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,910 | $30.25 |
| 25th percentile | $67,450 | $32.43 |
| Median | $80,040 | $38.48 |
| 75th percentile | $91,770 | $44.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,430 | $47.32 |
| Average (mean) | $78,710 | $37.84 |
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 | $6,670 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,335 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,078.46 |
| Weekly | $1,539.23 |
| Hourly | $38.48 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $80,040 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $81,600 | 1,300 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $79,150 | 60 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $76,560 | 840 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $76,100 | 80 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $74,040 | 40 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $68,490 | 90 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $66,040 | 270 |
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 Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lexington-Fayette, KY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $79,040 | $38.00 |
| Pharmacist | $136,530 | $65.64 |
| Physicians, All Other | $283,730 | $136.41 |
| Physical Therapist | $94,710 | $45.54 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $123,070 | $59.17 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $180,790 | $86.92 |
| Dental Hygienist | $80,110 | $38.51 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $87,470 | $42.05 |
| Surgeons, All Other | $128,960 | $62.00 |
| Veterinarian | $109,050 | $52.43 |
| Occupational Therapist | $95,820 | $46.07 |
| Physician Assistant | $112,230 | $53.96 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $242,700 | $116.68 |
| Pediatricians, General | $165,300 | $79.47 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Lexington-Fayette, KY
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 Lexington-Fayette, KY?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area is $80,040 a year, or $38.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn at least $98,430 a year. The top 25% earn $91,770 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,910 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $67,450 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
About 430 respiratory therapists are employed in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area, not counting the self-employed.