Respiratory Therapists Salary in Denver, CO

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO

Median annual salary $81,490 +1.3% vs national
Median hourly $39.18
10th percentile $62,890
90th percentile $101,630
Employed locally 1,090
National median $80,450

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Respiratory Therapists
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Denver, CO
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $62,890
    25th
    $71,230
    50th (median)
    $81,490
    75th
    $96,210
    90th
    $101,630

    Denver economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,339 2023 • Census ACS
    Respiratory Therapists salary vs area income 80% Median Respiratory Therapists salary is 20% 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
    District of Columbia $104,240
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $99,780
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $98,910
    North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area $95,780
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $95,480

    Related occupations in Denver, CO

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $98,500
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $75,030
    Pharmacy Technicians $48,670
    Pharmacists $152,200
    Physical Therapists $102,670
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $69,570

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Respiratory Therapists make per hour in Denver?

    The median hourly wage for Respiratory Therapists in Denver, CO is $39.18, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $52.92 or more per hour.

    Is Denver above or below average for Respiratory Therapists salaries?

    The median Respiratory Therapists salary in Denver, CO is 1.3% above 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 Denver?

    Entry-level Respiratory Therapists (10th percentile) earn around $62,890 per year in Denver, CO. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $71,230.