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

Respiratory Therapist Salary in Iowa

Median Annual in Iowa
$74,760/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$35.94/hr
▼ 9% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in Iowa

groups Employed in IA
910
public U.S. Median
$82,280
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$85,185 #27 of 51

Respiratory Therapist pay in Iowa, explained

Respiratory therapists in Iowa earn a median of $74,760 per year ($35.94 per hour), which is 9% below the national median of $82,280. Entry-level workers earn around $62,860, while the most experienced respiratory therapists reach about $86,510. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within Iowa.

Is $74,760 good pay in Iowa?

Adjusted for Iowa's cost of living (which runs 88% of the U.S. average), that $74,760 is worth about $85,185 in national buying power — ranking Iowa #27 for real pay (vs #43 on the sticker number).

See the full Respiratory Therapist Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Respiratory Therapist pay by experience in Iowa

Entry level (10th pct)
$62,860
$30.22/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$74,760
$35.94/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$86,510
$41.59/hr

Respiratory Therapist pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs IA
Iowa (here) $74,760 $85,185
Minnesota $98,710 $100,090 −$23,950
Wisconsin $84,210 $89,495 −$9,450
Illinois $84,090 $84,125 −$9,330
Nebraska $81,590 $90,552 −$6,830
Missouri $78,390 $86,316 −$3,630
South Dakota $68,240 $77,032 +$6,520

Respiratory Therapist in Iowa: FAQ

How much do respiratory therapists make in Iowa?

Respiratory therapists in Iowa earn a median of $74,760 per year ($35.94 per hour), compared with $82,280 nationally.

Does Iowa pay respiratory therapists well?

At $74,760, Iowa pays 9% below the national median for respiratory therapists. An estimated 910 work in the state.

Respiratory Therapist salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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