Respiratory Therapist salary in Pittsburgh, PA
Respiratory Therapists in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn a median of $75,470 a year ($36.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,220 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,750 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 4% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $78,490. 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 $72,820, close to the median.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Pittsburgh, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,030 | $29.82 |
| 25th percentile | $64,270 | $30.90 |
| Median | $75,470 | $36.28 |
| 75th percentile | $79,910 | $38.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $88,750 | $42.67 |
| Average (mean) | $72,820 | $35.01 |
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 | $6,289.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,144.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,902.69 |
| Weekly | $1,451.35 |
| Hourly | $36.28 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $75,470 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 other metro areas nearby
| 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 |
| 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 |
See Respiratory Therapist pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Pittsburgh, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $82,370 | $39.60 |
| Physicians, All Other | $187,680 | $90.23 |
| Pharmacist | $134,180 | $64.51 |
| Physician Assistant | $125,230 | $60.21 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,750 | $46.99 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $119,630 | $57.52 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $275,930 | $132.66 |
| Dental Hygienist | $75,960 | $36.52 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $81,810 | $39.33 |
| Occupational Therapist | $90,860 | $43.68 |
| Dentists, General | $155,250 | $74.64 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $67,260 | $32.34 |
| Veterinarian | $128,290 | $61.68 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $223,570 | $107.49 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Pittsburgh, PA
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 Pittsburgh, PA?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area is $75,470 a year, or $36.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Pittsburgh, PA?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn at least $88,750 a year. The top 25% earn $79,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Pittsburgh, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,030 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $64,270 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Pittsburgh, PA?
About 1,220 respiratory therapists are employed in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.