Respiratory Therapist salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Respiratory Therapists in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn a median of $80,990 a year ($38.94 an hour), based on BLS data for 710 workers.
Pay ranges from $66,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,100 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 2% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $82,910. There are 0.93 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $86,650, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,270 | $31.86 |
| 25th percentile | $79,490 | $38.21 |
| Median | $80,990 | $38.94 |
| 75th percentile | $92,490 | $44.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,100 | $49.09 |
| Average (mean) | $86,650 | $41.66 |
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 | $6,749.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,374.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,115 |
| Weekly | $1,557.50 |
| Hourly | $38.94 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $80,990 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 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $87,820 | 430 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $86,720 | 120 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $82,020 | 1,110 |
| Richmond, VA | $81,750 | 630 |
| Asheville, NC | $81,550 | 150 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $81,470 | 120 |
| Wilmington, NC | $81,020 | 200 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $80,650 | 110 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $80,250 | 530 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $80,090 | 290 |
| Roanoke, VA | $78,820 | 190 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $78,350 | 130 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $73,830 | 70 |
| Greenville, NC | $69,310 | 150 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $62,740 | 170 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $54,790 | 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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $89,450 | $43.00 |
| Pharmacist | $136,280 | $65.52 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,840 | $48.48 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,530 | $59.87 |
| Physicians, All Other | $266,280 | $128.02 |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,890 | $47.54 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $97,870 | $47.05 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,400 | $47.79 |
| Physician Assistant | $126,430 | $60.78 |
| Dentists, General | $177,400 | $85.29 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $213,690 | $102.73 |
| Veterinarian | $122,010 | $58.66 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $76,600 | $36.83 |
| Cardiologist | $430,900 | $207.16 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area is $80,990 a year, or $38.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $66,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn at least $102,100 a year. The top 25% earn $92,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,270 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $79,490 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
About 710 respiratory therapists are employed in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.