Respiratory Therapists Salary in San Francisco, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Median annual salary $131,320 +63.2% vs national
Median hourly $63.13
10th percentile $94,930
90th percentile $152,030
Employed locally 1,940
National median $80,450

Compare Respiratory Therapists salary & buying power

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Respiratory Therapists
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San Francisco, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $94,930
    25th
    $102,500
    50th (median)
    $131,320
    75th
    $144,720
    90th
    $152,030

    San Francisco economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $133,780 2023 • Census ACS
    Respiratory Therapists salary vs area income 98% Median Respiratory Therapists salary is 2% 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
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $129,640
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $129,180
    Redding, CA $119,560

    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
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $129,640
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $129,180
    Redding, CA $119,560

    Related occupations in San Francisco, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $188,020
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $90,810
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $81,390
    Pharmacy Technicians $61,990
    Pharmacists $183,510
    Dental Hygienists $146,760

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Respiratory Therapists in San Francisco, CA is $63.13, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $76.01 or more per hour.

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

    The median Respiratory Therapists salary in San Francisco, CA is 63.2% 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 Francisco?

    Entry-level Respiratory Therapists (10th percentile) earn around $94,930 per year in San Francisco, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $102,500.