Respiratory Therapist salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Respiratory Therapists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median of $104,220 a year ($50.11 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,130 workers.
Pay ranges from $78,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,610 for the top 10%. That is 27% higher than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 3% higher than the Washington statewide median of $101,130. There are 0.54 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.60). The average (mean) salary is $103,200, close to the median.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,450 | $37.72 |
| 25th percentile | $85,230 | $40.98 |
| Median | $104,220 | $50.11 |
| 75th percentile | $121,190 | $58.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,610 | $61.83 |
| Average (mean) | $103,200 | $49.61 |
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 | $8,685 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,342.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,008.46 |
| Weekly | $2,004.23 |
| Hourly | $50.11 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $104,220 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $100,030 | 760 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $98,320 | 60 |
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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $128,260 | $61.66 |
| Pharmacist | $162,870 | $78.30 |
| Physicians, All Other | $330,560 | $158.92 |
| Dental Hygienist | $133,740 | $64.30 |
| Physical Therapist | $107,290 | $51.58 |
| Occupational Therapist | $109,860 | $52.82 |
| Dentists, General | $161,270 | $77.54 |
| Physician Assistant | $167,290 | $80.43 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $108,690 | $52.25 |
| Veterinarian | $163,810 | $78.76 |
| Radiologist | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Anesthesiologist | $646,930 | $311.02 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $87,580 | $42.11 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $340,010 | $163.47 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $104,220 a year, or $50.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $78,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,610 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn at least $128,610 a year. The top 25% earn $121,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $78,450 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $85,230 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
About 1,130 respiratory therapists are employed in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.