Respiratory Therapist salary in Appleton, WI
Respiratory Therapists in the Appleton, WI metro area earn a median of $84,300 a year ($40.53 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $79,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,720 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is about the same as the Wisconsin statewide median of $84,210. There are 0.48 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.54). The average (mean) salary is $87,710, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Appleton, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,400 | $38.18 |
| 25th percentile | $79,910 | $38.42 |
| Median | $84,300 | $40.53 |
| 75th percentile | $98,200 | $47.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,720 | $48.90 |
| Average (mean) | $87,710 | $42.17 |
Half of respiratory therapists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,025 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,512.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,242.31 |
| Weekly | $1,621.15 |
| Hourly | $40.53 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Respiratory Therapist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $100,920 | 820 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $89,040 | 630 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $86,460 | 40 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $85,700 | 100 |
| Green Bay, WI | $82,300 | 130 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $81,600 | 70 |
| Madison, WI | $81,530 | 350 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $80,900 | 50 |
| Kenosha, WI | $77,570 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for respiratory therapists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $111,950 |
| New York | $107,810 |
| California | $104,820 |
| Massachusetts | $102,170 |
| Washington | $101,130 |
| New Jersey | $100,810 |
| Oregon | $100,560 |
| Minnesota | $98,710 |
| Alaska | $97,950 |
| New Hampshire | $95,940 |
See Respiratory Therapist pay in every state or the Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Appleton, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $86,680 | $41.67 |
| Dental Hygienist | $96,350 | $46.32 |
| Pharmacist | $144,630 | $69.53 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,920 | $49.00 |
| Physicians, All Other | $406,080 | $195.23 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,030 | $62.04 |
| Occupational Therapist | $90,310 | $43.42 |
| Dentists, General | $206,650 | $99.35 |
| Physician Assistant | $128,270 | $61.67 |
| Veterinarian | $105,800 | $50.87 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $82,060 | $39.45 |
| Chiropractor | $101,410 | $48.76 |
| Optometrist | $150,060 | $72.15 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $72,590 | $34.90 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Appleton, WI
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1126. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a respiratory therapist make in Appleton, WI?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Appleton, WI metro area is $84,300 a year, or $40.53 an hour. Pay ranges from $79,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Appleton, WI?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Appleton, WI metro area earn at least $101,720 a year. The top 25% earn $98,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Appleton, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $79,400 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $79,910 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Appleton, WI?
About 60 respiratory therapists are employed in the Appleton, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.