Respiratory Therapist salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Respiratory Therapists in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $79,210 a year ($38.08 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,260 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,730 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 1% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $78,390. There are 0.94 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $78,300, close to the median.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,230 | $29.92 |
| 25th percentile | $67,270 | $32.34 |
| Median | $79,210 | $38.08 |
| 75th percentile | $83,560 | $40.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,730 | $46.02 |
| Average (mean) | $78,300 | $37.65 |
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 | $6,600.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,300.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,046.54 |
| Weekly | $1,523.27 |
| Hourly | $38.08 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $79,210 salary, see how much house you can afford in Missouri 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $87,060 | 3,620 |
| Kankakee, IL | $84,490 | 60 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $79,140 | 1,190 |
| Springfield, IL | $78,340 | 140 |
| Peoria, IL | $77,660 | 210 |
| Rockford, IL | $77,640 | 160 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $77,500 | 50 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $76,100 | 80 |
| Bloomington, IL | $75,490 | 70 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $75,460 | 100 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $74,660 | 120 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $73,860 | 50 |
| Springfield, MO | $72,490 | 310 |
| Columbia, MO | $69,400 | 150 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $66,910 | 90 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $65,630 | 150 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $83,180 | $39.99 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,580 | $63.26 |
| Pharmacist | $138,530 | $66.60 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,600 | $48.37 |
| Physicians, All Other | $246,440 | $118.48 |
| Dental Hygienist | $97,650 | $46.95 |
| Occupational Therapist | $95,770 | $46.04 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $76,830 | $36.94 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,480 | $41.58 |
| Physician Assistant | $136,120 | $65.44 |
| Dentists, General | $210,430 | $101.17 |
| Veterinarian | $122,460 | $58.87 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $70,360 | $33.83 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $232,300 | $111.68 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-IL
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 St. Louis, MO-IL?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $79,210 a year, or $38.08 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $95,730 a year. The top 25% earn $83,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,230 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $67,270 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About 1,260 respiratory therapists are employed in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.