Respiratory Therapists Salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Median annual salary $96,620 +20.1% vs national
Median hourly $46.45
10th percentile $76,750
90th percentile $118,940
Employed locally 1,510
National median $80,450

Compare Respiratory Therapists salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $76,750
    25th
    $82,580
    50th (median)
    $96,620
    75th
    $102,680
    90th
    $118,940

    Washington economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $123,896 2023 • Census ACS
    Respiratory Therapists salary vs area income 78% Median Respiratory Therapists salary is 22% 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
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $131,320
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $129,640
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $129,180

    Related occupations in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $101,800
    Physicians, All Other $191,880
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $71,900
    Pharmacy Technicians $45,550
    Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other $162,610
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $71,280

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Respiratory Therapists make per hour in Washington?

    The median hourly wage for Respiratory Therapists in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is $46.45, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $61.25 or more per hour.

    Is Washington above or below average for Respiratory Therapists salaries?

    The median Respiratory Therapists salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is 20.1% 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 Washington?

    Entry-level Respiratory Therapists (10th percentile) earn around $76,750 per year in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $82,580.