Respiratory Therapist salary in Pennsylvania
Respiratory Therapists in Pennsylvania earn a median of $78,490 a year ($37.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,530 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,520 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pennsylvania ranks 37th of 51 states for respiratory therapists pay. There are 1.1 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $78,180, close to the median.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,440 | $30.02 |
| 25th percentile | $66,940 | $32.18 |
| Median | $78,490 | $37.74 |
| 75th percentile | $87,620 | $42.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,520 | $45.92 |
| Average (mean) | $78,180 | $37.59 |
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 | $6,540.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,270.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,018.85 |
| Weekly | $1,509.42 |
| Hourly | $37.74 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $78,490 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Respiratory Therapist salary in cities in Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $88,790 | 2,990 |
| Reading, PA | $84,330 | 130 |
| Lancaster, PA | $80,060 | 230 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $79,960 | 490 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $79,910 | 40 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $79,540 | 230 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $78,750 | 410 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $78,380 | 230 |
| Williamsport, PA | $78,300 | 50 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $75,470 | 1,220 |
| State College, PA | $73,690 | 60 |
| Johnstown, PA | $71,210 | 80 |
| Erie, PA | $62,480 | 110 |
| Altoona, PA | $59,980 | 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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $96,430 | $46.36 |
| Physicians, All Other | $217,310 | $104.48 |
| Pharmacist | $138,160 | $66.42 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,380 | $48.74 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,140 | $62.57 |
| Physician Assistant | $127,070 | $61.09 |
| Dental Hygienist | $80,610 | $38.76 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $92,960 | $44.69 |
| Occupational Therapist | $98,440 | $47.33 |
| Dentists, General | $163,390 | $78.56 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $67,410 | $32.41 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $306,030 | $147.13 |
| Veterinarian | $133,520 | $64.19 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $221,530 | $106.50 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in Pennsylvania is $78,490 a year, or $37.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in Pennsylvania earn at least $95,520 a year. The top 25% earn $87,620 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,440 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $66,940 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Pennsylvania?
About 6,530 respiratory therapists are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.