Respiratory Therapist salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Respiratory Therapists in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median of $89,040 a year ($42.81 an hour), based on BLS data for 630 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,600 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 6% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $84,210. There are 0.77 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $90,430, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,680 | $37.35 |
| 25th percentile | $83,540 | $40.16 |
| Median | $89,040 | $42.81 |
| 75th percentile | $98,320 | $47.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,600 | $48.37 |
| Average (mean) | $90,430 | $43.47 |
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 | $7,420 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,710 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,424.62 |
| Weekly | $1,712.31 |
| Hourly | $42.81 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $89,040 salary, see how much house you can afford in Wisconsin 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $100,920 | 820 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $86,460 | 40 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $85,700 | 100 |
| Appleton, WI | $84,300 | 60 |
| Green Bay, WI | $82,300 | 130 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $81,600 | 70 |
| Madison, WI | $81,530 | 350 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $80,900 | 50 |
| Kenosha, WI | $77,570 | 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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $97,360 | $46.81 |
| Physicians, All Other | $411,200 | $197.69 |
| Pharmacist | $153,340 | $73.72 |
| Physical Therapist | $103,030 | $49.53 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $134,350 | $64.59 |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,780 | $47.49 |
| Occupational Therapist | $94,020 | $45.20 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,040 | $64.92 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $88,190 | $42.40 |
| Dentists, General | $155,940 | $74.97 |
| Emergency Medicine Physician | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Veterinarian | $117,780 | $56.62 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $287,350 | $138.15 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $77,660 | $37.34 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $89,040 a year, or $42.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn at least $100,600 a year. The top 25% earn $98,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,680 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $83,540 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
About 630 respiratory therapists are employed in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.