Respiratory Therapists Salary in Waterloo, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

Median annual salary $62,420 -22.4% vs national
Median hourly $30.01
10th percentile $56,220
90th percentile $74,330
Employed locally 80
National median $80,450

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Respiratory Therapists
in
Waterloo, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $56,220
    25th
    $60,710
    50th (median)
    $62,420
    75th
    $74,330
    90th
    $74,330

    Waterloo economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,916 2023 • Census ACS
    Respiratory Therapists salary vs area income 91% Median Respiratory Therapists salary is 9% 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

    Nearby metros — Respiratory Therapists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $105,560
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $105,320
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $104,890
    District of Columbia $104,240
    California $102,120
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $96,620

    Related occupations in Waterloo, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $69,680
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $56,540
    Pharmacy Technicians $39,380
    Nurse Practitioners $127,410
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $45,520
    Pharmacists $132,680

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Respiratory Therapists make per hour in Waterloo?

    The median hourly wage for Respiratory Therapists in Waterloo, IA is $30.01, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $38.58 or more per hour.

    Is Waterloo above or below average for Respiratory Therapists salaries?

    The median Respiratory Therapists salary in Waterloo, IA is 22.4% below 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 Waterloo?

    Entry-level Respiratory Therapists (10th percentile) earn around $56,220 per year in Waterloo, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $60,710.