Respiratory Therapists Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $102,590 +27.5% vs national
Median hourly $49.32
10th percentile $78,130
90th percentile $126,350
Employed locally 1,430
National median $80,450

Compare Respiratory Therapists salary & buying power

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

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Respiratory Therapists
in
San Diego, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $78,130
    25th
    $84,350
    50th (median)
    $102,590
    75th
    $121,980
    90th
    $126,350

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Respiratory Therapists salary vs area income 100% Median Respiratory Therapists salary is 0% 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 San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $133,090
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $77,280
    Physicians, All Other $323,050
    Pharmacy Technicians $49,540
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $70,240
    Pharmacists $163,860

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Respiratory Therapists make per hour in San Diego?

    The median hourly wage for Respiratory Therapists in San Diego, CA is $49.32, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $63.19 or more per hour.

    Is San Diego above or below average for Respiratory Therapists salaries?

    The median Respiratory Therapists salary in San Diego, CA is 27.5% 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 San Diego?

    Entry-level Respiratory Therapists (10th percentile) earn around $78,130 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $84,350.