Respiratory Therapist salary in Waterbury-Shelton, CT
Respiratory Therapists in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area earn a median of $89,660 a year ($43.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $74,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,550 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 5% higher than the Connecticut statewide median of $85,230. There are 0.86 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $91,020, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Waterbury-Shelton, CT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,200 | $35.67 |
| 25th percentile | $81,460 | $39.17 |
| Median | $89,660 | $43.10 |
| 75th percentile | $90,400 | $43.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,550 | $48.34 |
| Average (mean) | $91,020 | $43.76 |
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 | $7,471.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,735.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,448.46 |
| Weekly | $1,724.23 |
| Hourly | $43.10 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $89,660 salary, see how much house you can afford in Connecticut 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $98,010 | 260 |
| New Haven, CT | $85,230 | 240 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $81,770 | 550 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | $78,700 | 80 |
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 Connecticut statewide figures.
Related jobs in Waterbury-Shelton, CT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $101,690 | $48.89 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,590 | $49.32 |
| Dental Hygienist | $101,670 | $48.88 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,460 | $47.82 |
| Pharmacist | $138,110 | $66.40 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $141,530 | $68.04 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $100,170 | $48.16 |
| Physicians, All Other | $95,900 | $46.10 |
| Dentists, General | $174,370 | $83.83 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,120 | $64.48 |
| Pediatricians, General | $222,950 | $107.19 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $360,610 | $173.37 |
| Veterinarian | $132,030 | $63.48 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $77,350 | $37.19 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Waterbury-Shelton, CT
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 Waterbury-Shelton, CT?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area is $89,660 a year, or $43.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $74,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Waterbury-Shelton, CT?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area earn at least $100,550 a year. The top 25% earn $90,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Waterbury-Shelton, CT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $74,200 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $81,460 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Waterbury-Shelton, CT?
About 140 respiratory therapists are employed in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area, not counting the self-employed.