Respiratory Therapist salary in Charleston, WV
Respiratory Therapists in the Charleston, WV metro area earn a median of $68,670 a year ($33.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 220 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,230 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is about the same as the West Virginia statewide median of $68,670. There are 2.1 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $74,330, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Charleston, WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,480 | $30.04 |
| 25th percentile | $64,850 | $31.18 |
| Median | $68,670 | $33.01 |
| 75th percentile | $78,130 | $37.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,230 | $48.67 |
| Average (mean) | $74,330 | $35.73 |
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 | $5,722.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,861.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,641.15 |
| Weekly | $1,320.58 |
| Hourly | $33.01 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $101,990 | 1,850 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $74,300 | 70 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $73,840 | 60 |
| Beckley, WV | $67,600 | 60 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $66,040 | 270 |
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 West Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston, WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $80,230 | $38.57 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,260 | $62.14 |
| Pharmacist | $131,660 | $63.30 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $63,540 | $30.55 |
| Dental Hygienist | $65,520 | $31.50 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $280,250 | $134.74 |
| Physician Assistant | $126,620 | $60.87 |
| Physicians, All Other | $285,470 | $137.24 |
| Physical Therapist | $103,760 | $49.89 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $68,510 | $32.94 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $92,390 | $44.42 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $344,250 | $165.50 |
| Occupational Therapist | $91,520 | $44.00 |
| Dentists, General | $152,980 | $73.55 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Charleston, WV
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 Charleston, WV?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Charleston, WV metro area is $68,670 a year, or $33.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Charleston, WV?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Charleston, WV metro area earn at least $101,230 a year. The top 25% earn $78,130 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Charleston, WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,480 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $64,850 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Charleston, WV?
About 220 respiratory therapists are employed in the Charleston, WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.