Respiratory Therapist salary in Lincoln, NE
Respiratory Therapists in the Lincoln, NE metro area earn a median of $81,590 a year ($39.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $68,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,890 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is about the same as the Nebraska statewide median of $81,590. There are 0.85 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $81,940, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Lincoln, NE
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,470 | $32.92 |
| 25th percentile | $74,880 | $36.00 |
| Median | $81,590 | $39.22 |
| 75th percentile | $84,170 | $40.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $87,890 | $42.26 |
| Average (mean) | $81,940 | $39.39 |
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 | $6,799.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,399.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,138.08 |
| Weekly | $1,569.04 |
| Hourly | $39.22 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $81,590 salary, see how much house you can afford in Nebraska 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 |
| 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 Nebraska statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lincoln, NE
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $87,530 | $42.08 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,780 | $47.97 |
| Pharmacist | $149,590 | $71.92 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,440 | $59.83 |
| Physician Assistant | $128,050 | $61.56 |
| Dental Hygienist | $95,100 | $45.72 |
| Occupational Therapist | $96,320 | $46.31 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $91,860 | $44.16 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $209,990 | $100.96 |
| Physicians, All Other | $326,620 | $157.03 |
| Dentists, General | $204,530 | $98.33 |
| Veterinarian | $104,330 | $50.16 |
| Chiropractor | $85,220 | $40.97 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $67,910 | $32.65 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Lincoln, NE
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 Lincoln, NE?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Lincoln, NE metro area is $81,590 a year, or $39.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $68,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,890 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Lincoln, NE?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Lincoln, NE metro area earn at least $87,890 a year. The top 25% earn $84,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Lincoln, NE?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $68,470 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $74,880 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Lincoln, NE?
About 150 respiratory therapists are employed in the Lincoln, NE metro area, not counting the self-employed.