Respiratory Therapist salary in California
Respiratory Therapists in California earn a median of $104,820 a year ($50.40 an hour), based on BLS data for 18,650 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $145,510 for the top 10%. That is 27% higher than the national median of $82,280. California ranks 3rd of 51 states for respiratory therapists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 1.0 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $109,440, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,010 | $37.02 |
| 25th percentile | $87,750 | $42.19 |
| Median | $104,820 | $50.40 |
| 75th percentile | $129,010 | $62.03 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $145,510 | $69.96 |
| Average (mean) | $109,440 | $52.62 |
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 | $8,735 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,367.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,031.54 |
| Weekly | $2,015.77 |
| Hourly | $50.40 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Respiratory Therapist salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $149,680 | 1,060 |
| Vallejo, CA | $136,200 | 190 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $134,880 | 70 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $134,430 | 1,140 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $130,220 | 2,010 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $123,220 | 200 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $112,430 | 90 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $108,600 | 130 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $105,040 | 1,430 |
| Napa, CA | $104,670 | 60 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $104,640 | 7,010 |
| Modesto, CA | $103,870 | 270 |
| Redding, CA | $103,830 | 90 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $102,760 | 370 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $102,250 | 310 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $102,050 | 350 |
| Merced, CA | $101,810 | 40 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $100,480 | 2,200 |
| Fresno, CA | $83,340 | 580 |
| Visalia, CA | $82,030 | 120 |
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 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $140,270 | $67.44 |
| Pharmacist | $164,610 | $79.14 |
| Physical Therapist | $124,190 | $59.71 |
| Physicians, All Other | $281,590 | $135.38 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $168,520 | $81.02 |
| Dental Hygienist | $124,930 | $60.06 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $118,970 | $57.20 |
| Dentists, General | $165,950 | $79.79 |
| Occupational Therapist | $124,510 | $59.86 |
| Physician Assistant | $165,650 | $79.64 |
| Veterinarian | $163,920 | $78.81 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $98,850 | $47.52 |
| Optometrist | $136,300 | $65.53 |
| Pediatricians, General | $214,140 | $102.95 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in California
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 California?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in California is $104,820 a year, or $50.40 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $145,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in California?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in California earn at least $145,510 a year. The top 25% earn $129,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,010 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $87,750 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in California?
About 18,650 respiratory therapists are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.