Respiratory Therapists Salary in Charleston, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Charleston-North Charleston, SC

Median annual salary $77,700 -3.4% vs national
Median hourly $37.36
10th percentile $66,150
90th percentile $89,880
Employed locally 300
National median $80,450

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Respiratory Therapists
in
Charleston, SC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $66,150
    25th
    $76,700
    50th (median)
    $77,700
    75th
    $79,470
    90th
    $89,880

    Charleston economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $82,272 2023 • Census ACS
    Respiratory Therapists salary vs area income 94% Median Respiratory Therapists salary is 6% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Respiratory Therapists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $137,080
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $134,880
    Vallejo, CA $132,520
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $131,320
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $129,640
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $129,180

    Nearby metros — Respiratory Therapists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $131,320
    Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ $86,220
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $82,770
    Wisconsin $82,160
    South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $80,410
    Northeastern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $80,390

    Related occupations in Charleston, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $80,620
    Pharmacy Technicians $44,040
    Physicians, All Other $163,900
    Nurse Practitioners $123,100
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $61,010
    Pharmacists $140,390

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Respiratory Therapists make per hour in Charleston?

    The median hourly wage for Respiratory Therapists in Charleston, SC is $37.36, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $43.59 or more per hour.

    Is Charleston above or below average for Respiratory Therapists salaries?

    The median Respiratory Therapists salary in Charleston, SC is 3.4% below the national median of $80,450. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Respiratory Therapists in Charleston?

    Entry-level Respiratory Therapists (10th percentile) earn around $66,150 per year in Charleston, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $76,700.