Respiratory Therapist salary in North Carolina
Respiratory Therapists in North Carolina earn a median of $80,090 a year ($38.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,630 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,520 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $82,280. North Carolina ranks 29th of 51 states for respiratory therapists pay. There are 0.94 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $81,360, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,990 | $30.77 |
| 25th percentile | $68,010 | $32.70 |
| Median | $80,090 | $38.51 |
| 75th percentile | $87,820 | $42.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,520 | $47.85 |
| Average (mean) | $81,360 | $39.12 |
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 | $6,674.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,337.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,080.38 |
| Weekly | $1,540.19 |
| Hourly | $38.51 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $80,090 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Respiratory Therapist salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $87,820 | 430 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $82,020 | 1,110 |
| Asheville, NC | $81,550 | 150 |
| Wilmington, NC | $81,020 | 200 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $80,990 | 710 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $80,650 | 110 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $80,250 | 530 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $80,090 | 290 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $78,350 | 130 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $73,830 | 70 |
| Greenville, NC | $69,310 | 150 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $54,790 | 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 |
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $84,350 | $40.56 |
| Physicians, All Other | $260,330 | $125.16 |
| Pharmacist | $138,860 | $66.76 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,990 | $62.01 |
| Physician Assistant | $129,360 | $62.19 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,910 | $48.03 |
| Dental Hygienist | $97,850 | $47.04 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,460 | $41.57 |
| Occupational Therapist | $92,940 | $44.68 |
| Dentists, General | $207,000 | $99.52 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $224,610 | $107.99 |
| Veterinarian | $129,240 | $62.14 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $67,560 | $32.48 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $289,780 | $139.32 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in North Carolina is $80,090 a year, or $38.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in North Carolina earn at least $99,520 a year. The top 25% earn $87,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,990 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $68,010 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in North Carolina?
About 4,630 respiratory therapists are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.