Respiratory Therapist salary in Rochester, MN
Respiratory Therapists in the Rochester, MN metro area earn a median of $98,700 a year ($47.45 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $82,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $114,580 for the top 10%. That is 20% higher than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is about the same as the Minnesota statewide median of $98,710. There are 1.3 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $100,090, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Rochester, MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $82,190 | $39.52 |
| 25th percentile | $98,700 | $47.45 |
| Median | $98,700 | $47.45 |
| 75th percentile | $99,100 | $47.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $114,580 | $55.09 |
| Average (mean) | $100,090 | $48.12 |
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 | $8,225 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,112.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,796.15 |
| Weekly | $1,898.08 |
| Hourly | $47.45 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $98,700 salary, see how much house you can afford in Minnesota 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $100,920 | 820 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $85,700 | 100 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $84,480 | 140 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $63,630 | 270 |
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 Minnesota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rochester, MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $101,660 | $48.87 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,270 | $60.71 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Physician Assistant | $137,340 | $66.03 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Pharmacist | $164,250 | $78.97 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,140 | $48.14 |
| Occupational Therapist | $85,000 | $40.86 |
| Dental Hygienist | $103,440 | $49.73 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $83,140 | $39.97 |
| Emergency Medicine Physician | $462,850 | $222.53 |
| Psychiatrist | $341,540 | $164.20 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $80,330 | $38.62 |
| Dentists, General | $211,190 | $101.53 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Rochester, MN
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 Rochester, MN?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Rochester, MN metro area is $98,700 a year, or $47.45 an hour. Pay ranges from $82,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $114,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Rochester, MN?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Rochester, MN metro area earn at least $114,580 a year. The top 25% earn $99,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Rochester, MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $82,190 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $98,700 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Rochester, MN?
About 160 respiratory therapists are employed in the Rochester, MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.