Respiratory Therapist salary in Richmond, VA
Respiratory Therapists in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $81,750 a year ($39.31 an hour), based on BLS data for 630 workers.
Pay ranges from $66,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,420 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 1% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $82,910. There are 0.96 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $85,780, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,960 | $32.19 |
| 25th percentile | $78,180 | $37.59 |
| Median | $81,750 | $39.31 |
| 75th percentile | $94,740 | $45.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,420 | $46.36 |
| Average (mean) | $85,780 | $41.24 |
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 | $6,812.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,406.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,144.23 |
| Weekly | $1,572.12 |
| Hourly | $39.31 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $81,750 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $101,990 | 1,850 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $86,720 | 120 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $81,470 | 120 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $80,990 | 710 |
| Roanoke, VA | $78,820 | 190 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $62,740 | 170 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $93,580 | $44.99 |
| Physicians, All Other | $284,090 | $136.58 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,820 | $61.45 |
| Pharmacist | $144,940 | $69.68 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,700 | $49.37 |
| Dental Hygienist | $104,250 | $50.12 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $96,080 | $46.19 |
| Occupational Therapist | $105,550 | $50.74 |
| Dentists, General | $218,880 | $105.23 |
| Physician Assistant | $126,810 | $60.97 |
| Veterinarian | $121,670 | $58.50 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $208,750 | $100.36 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $78,900 | $37.93 |
| Obstetricians and Gynecologists | $224,240 | $107.81 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Richmond, VA
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 Richmond, VA?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Richmond, VA metro area is $81,750 a year, or $39.31 an hour. Pay ranges from $66,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $96,420 a year. The top 25% earn $94,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,960 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $78,180 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Richmond, VA?
About 630 respiratory therapists are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.