Respiratory Therapists Salary in Riverside, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA

Median annual salary $97,080 +20.7% vs national
Median hourly $46.67
10th percentile $65,630
90th percentile $125,930
Employed locally 2,210
National median $80,450

Compare Respiratory Therapists salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Riverside, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Respiratory Therapists
in
Riverside, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $65,630
    25th
    $77,090
    50th (median)
    $97,080
    75th
    $108,660
    90th
    $125,930

    Riverside economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $86,031 2023 • Census ACS
    Respiratory Therapists salary vs area income 113% Median Respiratory Therapists salary is 13% 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 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

    Related occupations in Riverside, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $130,160
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $75,560
    Pharmacy Technicians $48,790
    Pharmacists $160,640
    Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other $50,300
    Physical Therapists $120,190

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Respiratory Therapists make per hour in Riverside?

    The median hourly wage for Respiratory Therapists in Riverside, CA is $46.67, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $61.89 or more per hour.

    Is Riverside above or below average for Respiratory Therapists salaries?

    The median Respiratory Therapists salary in Riverside, CA is 20.7% 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 Riverside?

    Entry-level Respiratory Therapists (10th percentile) earn around $65,630 per year in Riverside, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $77,090.