Respiratory Therapist salary in West Virginia
Respiratory Therapists in West Virginia earn a median of $68,670 a year ($33.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,140 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,280 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $82,280. West Virginia ranks 48th of 51 states for respiratory therapists pay. There are 1.6 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $71,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in West Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,940 | $25.45 |
| 25th percentile | $63,870 | $30.71 |
| Median | $68,670 | $33.01 |
| 75th percentile | $77,350 | $37.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $94,280 | $45.33 |
| Average (mean) | $71,970 | $34.60 |
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 | $5,722.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,861.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,641.15 |
| Weekly | $1,320.58 |
| Hourly | $33.01 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $68,670 salary, see how much house you can afford in West Virginia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Respiratory Therapist salary in cities in West Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $101,990 | 1,850 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $74,300 | 70 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $73,840 | 60 |
| Charleston, WV | $68,670 | 220 |
| Beckley, WV | $67,600 | 60 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $66,040 | 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 |
Related jobs in West Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $80,130 | $38.52 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,320 | $61.21 |
| Pharmacist | $133,430 | $64.15 |
| Physicians, All Other | $258,020 | $124.05 |
| Physical Therapist | $96,600 | $46.44 |
| Dental Hygienist | $73,840 | $35.50 |
| Physician Assistant | $128,610 | $61.83 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $80,970 | $38.93 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $278,530 | $133.91 |
| Occupational Therapist | $96,190 | $46.25 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $72,680 | $34.94 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $89,440 | $43.00 |
| Dentists, General | $170,370 | $81.91 |
| Veterinarian | $128,990 | $62.01 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in West Virginia
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 West Virginia?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in West Virginia is $68,670 a year, or $33.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in West Virginia?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in West Virginia earn at least $94,280 a year. The top 25% earn $77,350 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in West Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,940 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $63,870 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in West Virginia?
About 1,140 respiratory therapists are employed in West Virginia, not counting the self-employed.