Respiratory Therapist salary in Louisiana
Respiratory Therapists in Louisiana earn a median of $75,240 a year ($36.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,520 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,200 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $82,280. Louisiana ranks 42nd of 51 states for respiratory therapists pay. There are 1.3 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $74,690, close to the median.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Louisiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,520 | $29.58 |
| 25th percentile | $64,440 | $30.98 |
| Median | $75,240 | $36.17 |
| 75th percentile | $80,150 | $38.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $91,200 | $43.84 |
| Average (mean) | $74,690 | $35.91 |
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 | $6,270 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,135 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,893.85 |
| Weekly | $1,446.92 |
| Hourly | $36.17 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $75,240 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Respiratory Therapist salary in cities in Louisiana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $76,680 | 230 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $76,590 | 620 |
| Lafayette, LA | $76,210 | 290 |
| Hammond, LA | $75,990 | 80 |
| Monroe, LA | $75,770 | 90 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $74,220 | 320 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $73,940 | 280 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $73,680 | 60 |
| Alexandria, LA | $71,140 | 110 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $62,260 | 120 |
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 |
Related jobs in Louisiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $80,230 | $38.57 |
| Pharmacist | $132,410 | $63.66 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $125,600 | $60.38 |
| Physicians, All Other | $350,920 | $168.71 |
| Physical Therapist | $98,530 | $47.37 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $69,610 | $33.46 |
| Dental Hygienist | $85,240 | $40.98 |
| Occupational Therapist | $98,490 | $47.35 |
| Dentists, General | $170,750 | $82.09 |
| Physician Assistant | $128,870 | $61.96 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $255,330 | $122.75 |
| Veterinarian | $124,370 | $59.79 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $222,130 | $106.80 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $70,460 | $33.87 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Louisiana
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 Louisiana?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in Louisiana is $75,240 a year, or $36.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Louisiana?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in Louisiana earn at least $91,200 a year. The top 25% earn $80,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Louisiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,520 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $64,440 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Louisiana?
About 2,520 respiratory therapists are employed in Louisiana, not counting the self-employed.