Respiratory Therapists Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $134,880 +67.7% vs national
Median hourly $64.85
10th percentile $100,040
90th percentile $161,250
Employed locally 70
National median $80,450

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Respiratory Therapists
in
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $100,040
    25th
    $100,040
    50th (median)
    $134,880
    75th
    $161,250
    90th
    $161,250

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Respiratory Therapists salary vs area income 123% Median Respiratory Therapists salary is 23% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Respiratory Therapists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $137,080
    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
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $137,080
    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 Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $178,900
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $79,580
    Pharmacy Technicians $49,420
    Physicians, All Other $305,610
    Nurse Practitioners $159,090
    Dental Hygienists $127,120

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Respiratory Therapists make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Respiratory Therapists in Santa Cruz, CA is $64.85, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $77.53 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Respiratory Therapists salaries?

    The median Respiratory Therapists salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 67.7% 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 Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Respiratory Therapists (10th percentile) earn around $100,040 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $100,040.