Respiratory Therapists Salary in Santa Maria, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA

Median annual salary $104,890 +30.4% vs national
Median hourly $50.43
10th percentile $77,770
90th percentile $144,130
Employed locally 100
National median $80,450

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Respiratory Therapists
in
Santa Maria, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $77,770
    25th
    $96,430
    50th (median)
    $104,890
    75th
    $130,290
    90th
    $144,130

    Santa Maria economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $95,977 2023 • Census ACS
    Respiratory Therapists salary vs area income 109% Median Respiratory Therapists salary is 9% 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 Santa Maria, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $133,470
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $76,640
    Pharmacy Technicians $49,130
    Family Medicine Physicians $287,230
    Physical Therapists $121,330
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $50,870

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Respiratory Therapists in Santa Maria, CA is $50.43, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $64.85 or more per hour.

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

    The median Respiratory Therapists salary in Santa Maria, CA is 30.4% 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 Santa Maria?

    Entry-level Respiratory Therapists (10th percentile) earn around $77,770 per year in Santa Maria, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $96,430.