Respiratory Therapists Salary in Columbia, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbia, SC

Median annual salary $78,220 -2.8% vs national
Median hourly $37.61
10th percentile $64,020
90th percentile $82,470
Employed locally 360
National median $80,450

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Respiratory Therapists
in
Columbia, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $64,020
    25th
    $65,540
    50th (median)
    $78,220
    75th
    $81,720
    90th
    $82,470

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,146 2023 • Census ACS
    Respiratory Therapists salary vs area income 118% Median Respiratory Therapists salary is 18% above 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 Columbia, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $80,100
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $59,980
    Pharmacy Technicians $39,000
    Medical Records Specialists $65,960
    Physicians, All Other $374,300
    Pharmacists $134,730

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Respiratory Therapists make per hour in Columbia?

    The median hourly wage for Respiratory Therapists in Columbia, SC is $37.61, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $40.72 or more per hour.

    Is Columbia above or below average for Respiratory Therapists salaries?

    The median Respiratory Therapists salary in Columbia, SC is 2.8% 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 Columbia?

    Entry-level Respiratory Therapists (10th percentile) earn around $64,020 per year in Columbia, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $65,540.