verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Respiratory Therapist Salary in California

Median Annual in California
$104,820/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$50.40/hr
▲ 27% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in California

groups Employed in CA
18,650
public U.S. Median
$82,280
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$94,671 #7 of 51

Respiratory Therapist pay in California, explained

Respiratory therapists in California earn a median of $104,820 per year ($50.40 per hour), which is 27% above the national median of $82,280. Entry-level workers earn around $77,010, while the most experienced respiratory therapists reach about $145,510. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within California.

Is $104,820 good pay in California?

Adjusted for California's cost of living (which runs 111% of the U.S. average), that $104,820 is worth about $94,671 in national buying power — ranking California #7 for real pay (vs #3 on the sticker number).

See the full Respiratory Therapist Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Respiratory Therapist pay by experience in California

Entry level (10th pct)
$77,010
$37.02/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$104,820
$50.40/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$145,510
$69.96/hr

Respiratory Therapist pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs CA
California (here) $104,820 $94,671
Oregon $100,560 $97,290 +$4,260
Nevada $85,480 $85,498 +$19,340
Arizona $79,780 $79,244 +$25,040

Respiratory Therapist in California: FAQ

How much do respiratory therapists make in California?

Respiratory therapists in California earn a median of $104,820 per year ($50.40 per hour), compared with $82,280 nationally.

Does California pay respiratory therapists well?

At $104,820, California pays 27% above the national median for respiratory therapists. An estimated 18,650 work in the state.

Respiratory Therapist salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

Related careers in California