Respiratory Therapists Salary in California
BLS OEWS May 2025 • 23 metro areas • California
Respiratory Therapists in California earn a median salary of $109,097 per year on average across 23 metro and nonmetro areas, +35.6% vs the national median of $80,450. An estimated 17,780 respiratory therapists are employed across California, with salaries ranging from $82,030 to $137,080 depending on location.
$109,097
Avg median salary in California
$137,080
Highest paying metro
$82,030
Lowest paying metro
17,780
Employed in California
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Respiratory Therapists salaries by city in California
| Metro area | Median salary | 25th pct | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $137,080 | $126,790 | $160,330 | 950 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $134,880 | $100,040 | $161,250 | 70 |
| Vallejo, CA | $132,520 | $105,290 | $142,740 | 190 |
| San Francisco, CA | $131,320 | $102,500 | $144,720 | 1,940 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $129,640 | $102,590 | $134,010 | 210 |
| Sacramento, CA | $129,180 | $102,650 | $131,030 | 1,070 |
| Redding, CA | $119,560 | $98,670 | $127,950 | 80 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $112,430 | $92,980 | $128,970 | 90 |
| North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California | $105,560 | $95,740 | $124,060 | 80 |
| Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California | $105,320 | $82,180 | $105,520 | 60 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $104,890 | $96,430 | $130,290 | 100 |
| Napa, CA | $104,670 | $102,460 | $124,120 | 60 |
| Modesto, CA | $103,820 | $82,370 | $127,600 | 290 |
| San Diego, CA | $102,590 | $84,350 | $121,980 | 1,430 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $101,250 | $94,220 | $108,300 | 7,010 |
| Oxnard, CA | $100,970 | $80,470 | $126,010 | 320 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $98,590 | $83,150 | $104,640 | 380 |
| Merced, CA | $98,150 | $94,980 | $132,460 | 40 |
| Stockton, CA | $97,280 | $94,020 | $124,890 | 390 |
| Riverside, CA | $97,080 | $77,090 | $108,660 | 2,210 |
| North Coast Region of California | $95,780 | $84,530 | $103,020 | 110 |
| Fresno, CA | $84,650 | $79,390 | $102,430 | 580 |
| Visalia, CA | $82,030 | $77,570 | $97,450 | 120 |