Respiratory Therapists Salary in San Jose, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Median annual salary $137,080 +70.4% vs national
Median hourly $65.91
10th percentile $100,090
90th percentile $171,780
Employed locally 950
National median $80,450

Compare Respiratory Therapists salary & buying power

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

Full tool →
Respiratory Therapists
in
San Jose, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $100,090
    25th
    $126,790
    50th (median)
    $137,080
    75th
    $160,330
    90th
    $171,780

    San Jose economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $157,444 2023 • Census ACS
    Respiratory Therapists salary vs area income 87% Median Respiratory Therapists salary is 13% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Respiratory Therapists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    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
    Redding, CA $119,560

    Nearby metros — Respiratory Therapists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    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
    Redding, CA $119,560

    Related occupations in San Jose, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $208,940
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $92,840
    Physicians, All Other $95,320
    Pharmacy Technicians $70,740
    Pharmacists $196,250
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $81,900

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Respiratory Therapists in San Jose, CA is $65.91, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $85.86 or more per hour.

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

    The median Respiratory Therapists salary in San Jose, CA is 70.4% 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 Jose?

    Entry-level Respiratory Therapists (10th percentile) earn around $100,090 per year in San Jose, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $126,790.