Respiratory Therapist salary in Cedar Rapids, IA
Respiratory Therapists in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area earn a median of $66,830 a year ($32.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,960 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 11% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $74,760. There are 0.49 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.55). The average (mean) salary is $69,670, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Cedar Rapids, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,600 | $30.09 |
| 25th percentile | $65,420 | $31.45 |
| Median | $66,830 | $32.13 |
| 75th percentile | $80,650 | $38.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,960 | $38.92 |
| Average (mean) | $69,670 | $33.50 |
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 | $5,569.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,784.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,570.38 |
| Weekly | $1,285.19 |
| Hourly | $32.13 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $81,270 | 460 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $75,650 | 200 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $75,460 | 100 |
| Iowa City, IA | $75,110 | 150 |
| Dubuque, IA | $74,190 | 40 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $65,070 | 70 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $63,800 | 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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cedar Rapids, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $78,370 | $37.68 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,890 | $62.45 |
| Pharmacist | $133,520 | $64.19 |
| Physical Therapist | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| Dental Hygienist | $82,270 | $39.55 |
| Chiropractor | $77,460 | $37.24 |
| Dentists, General | $175,420 | $84.34 |
| Occupational Therapist | $79,690 | $38.31 |
| Veterinarian | $127,160 | $61.13 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $260,440 | $125.21 |
| Physician Assistant | $129,680 | $62.35 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $77,550 | $37.29 |
| Anesthesiologist | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Optometrist | $102,860 | $49.45 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Cedar Rapids, IA
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 Cedar Rapids, IA?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area is $66,830 a year, or $32.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Cedar Rapids, IA?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area earn at least $80,960 a year. The top 25% earn $80,650 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Cedar Rapids, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,600 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $65,420 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Cedar Rapids, IA?
About 70 respiratory therapists are employed in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.