Respiratory Therapist salary in New York
Respiratory Therapists in New York earn a median of $107,810 a year ($51.83 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,010 workers.
Pay ranges from $81,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,500 for the top 10%. That is 31% higher than the national median of $82,280. New York ranks 2nd of 51 states for respiratory therapists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.72 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $110,200, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in New York
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $81,270 | $39.07 |
| 25th percentile | $95,690 | $46.00 |
| Median | $107,810 | $51.83 |
| 75th percentile | $126,880 | $61.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,500 | $63.22 |
| Average (mean) | $110,200 | $52.98 |
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 | $8,984.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,492.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,146.54 |
| Weekly | $2,073.27 |
| Hourly | $51.83 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $107,810 salary, see how much house you can afford in New York at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Respiratory Therapist salary in cities in New York
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $110,490 | 7,010 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $106,910 | 240 |
| Binghamton, NY | $103,200 | 100 |
| Kingston, NY | $95,170 | 60 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $91,610 | 90 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $86,720 | 510 |
| Syracuse, NY | $85,860 | 280 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $85,250 | 300 |
| Rochester, NY | $82,990 | 410 |
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 New York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $109,440 | $52.62 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $153,510 | $73.80 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,660 | $48.39 |
| Pharmacist | $142,090 | $68.31 |
| Physician Assistant | $160,880 | $77.35 |
| Physicians, All Other | $242,500 | $116.59 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $100,610 | $48.37 |
| Dental Hygienist | $106,130 | $51.03 |
| Occupational Therapist | $96,390 | $46.34 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $183,460 | $88.20 |
| Dentists, General | $183,060 | $88.01 |
| Anesthesiologist | $445,660 | $214.26 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $82,480 | $39.66 |
| Pediatricians, General | $212,150 | $101.99 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in New York
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 New York?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in New York is $107,810 a year, or $51.83 an hour. Pay ranges from $81,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in New York?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in New York earn at least $131,500 a year. The top 25% earn $126,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $81,270 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $95,690 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in New York?
About 7,010 respiratory therapists are employed in New York, not counting the self-employed.