Respiratory Therapist salary in Boulder, CO
Respiratory Therapists in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median of $91,880 a year ($44.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $72,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,780 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 7% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $86,220. There are 0.65 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.73). The average (mean) salary is $93,150, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Boulder, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $72,600 | $34.91 |
| 25th percentile | $83,420 | $40.11 |
| Median | $91,880 | $44.17 |
| 75th percentile | $105,690 | $50.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,780 | $51.34 |
| Average (mean) | $93,150 | $44.79 |
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 | $7,656.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,828.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,533.85 |
| Weekly | $1,766.92 |
| Hourly | $44.17 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs, CO | $87,890 | 330 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $85,870 | 1,100 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $83,880 | n/a |
| Grand Junction, CO | $81,290 | 70 |
| Pueblo, CO | $80,860 | 90 |
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 Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boulder, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $103,290 | $49.66 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,430 | $49.24 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $131,620 | $63.28 |
| Dental Hygienist | $130,000 | $62.50 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $138,820 | $66.74 |
| Physician Assistant | $136,540 | $65.64 |
| Occupational Therapist | $123,490 | $59.37 |
| Pharmacist | $164,240 | $78.96 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $297,070 | $142.82 |
| Veterinarian | $132,020 | $63.47 |
| Dentists, General | $180,440 | $86.75 |
| Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric | $211,600 | $101.73 |
| Chiropractor | $71,840 | $34.54 |
| Physicians, All Other | $453,460 | $218.01 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Boulder, CO
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 Boulder, CO?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Boulder, CO metro area is $91,880 a year, or $44.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $72,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Boulder, CO?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Boulder, CO metro area earn at least $106,780 a year. The top 25% earn $105,690 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Boulder, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $72,600 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $83,420 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Boulder, CO?
About 130 respiratory therapists are employed in the Boulder, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.