Respiratory Therapists Salary in Charlotte, NC-SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

Median annual salary $77,730 -3.4% vs national
Median hourly $37.37
10th percentile $63,830
90th percentile $93,820
Employed locally 1,000
National median $80,450

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Respiratory Therapists
in
Charlotte, NC-SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $63,830
    25th
    $67,130
    50th (median)
    $77,730
    75th
    $83,190
    90th
    $93,820

    Charlotte economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,201 2023 • Census ACS
    Respiratory Therapists salary vs area income 97% Median Respiratory Therapists salary is 3% 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
    Anchorage, AK $100,170
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $99,780
    Raleigh-Cary, NC $83,580
    Manchester-Nashua, NH $83,560
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $83,300

    Related occupations in Charlotte, NC-SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $84,780
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $63,450
    Pharmacy Technicians $42,770
    Pharmacists $139,950
    Physician Assistants $132,110
    Physicians, All Other $327,040

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Respiratory Therapists make per hour in Charlotte?

    The median hourly wage for Respiratory Therapists in Charlotte, NC-SC is $37.37, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $48.29 or more per hour.

    Is Charlotte above or below average for Respiratory Therapists salaries?

    The median Respiratory Therapists salary in Charlotte, NC-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 Charlotte?

    Entry-level Respiratory Therapists (10th percentile) earn around $63,830 per year in Charlotte, NC-SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $67,130.