Respiratory Therapist salary in North Dakota
Respiratory Therapists in North Dakota earn a median of $81,230 a year ($39.06 an hour), based on BLS data for 270 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,490 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $82,280. North Dakota ranks 25th of 51 states for respiratory therapists pay. There are 0.64 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.71). The average (mean) salary is $84,710, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in North Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,770 | $31.62 |
| 25th percentile | $66,820 | $32.12 |
| Median | $81,230 | $39.06 |
| 75th percentile | $84,570 | $40.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,490 | $48.31 |
| Average (mean) | $84,710 | $40.72 |
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 | $6,769.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,384.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,124.23 |
| Weekly | $1,562.12 |
| Hourly | $39.06 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $81,230 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Dakota at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Respiratory Therapist salary in cities in North Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bismarck, ND | $84,570 | 50 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $84,480 | 140 |
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 Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $80,730 | $38.81 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,070 | $62.53 |
| Pharmacist | $142,040 | $68.29 |
| Physical Therapist | $85,330 | $41.02 |
| Physicians, All Other | $454,550 | $218.53 |
| Dental Hygienist | $90,530 | $43.53 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $75,240 | $36.17 |
| Occupational Therapist | $83,200 | $40.00 |
| Physician Assistant | $133,450 | $64.16 |
| Chiropractor | $77,990 | $37.49 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $70,040 | $33.67 |
| Veterinarian | $102,180 | $49.13 |
| Dentists, General | $220,660 | $106.09 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $280,100 | $134.67 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in North Dakota
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 Dakota?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in North Dakota is $81,230 a year, or $39.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in North Dakota?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in North Dakota earn at least $100,490 a year. The top 25% earn $84,570 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in North Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,770 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $66,820 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in North Dakota?
About 270 respiratory therapists are employed in North Dakota, not counting the self-employed.