Respiratory Therapist salary in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
Respiratory Therapists in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn a median of $81,600 a year ($39.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,300 workers.
Pay ranges from $66,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,020 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 2% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $79,920. There are 1.2 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $83,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,160 | $31.81 |
| 25th percentile | $76,920 | $36.98 |
| Median | $81,600 | $39.23 |
| 75th percentile | $94,790 | $45.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,020 | $47.61 |
| Average (mean) | $83,210 | $40.01 |
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 | $6,800 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,400 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,138.46 |
| Weekly | $1,569.23 |
| Hourly | $39.23 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $87,060 | 3,620 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $82,990 | 50 |
| Toledo, OH | $82,280 | 350 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $82,200 | 180 |
| Columbus, OH | $81,860 | 1,220 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $81,720 | 1,230 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $81,420 | 610 |
| Cleveland, OH | $80,360 | 1,380 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $80,140 | 110 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $80,040 | 430 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $79,450 | 110 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $79,150 | 60 |
| Evansville, IN | $78,990 | 170 |
| Akron, OH | $78,940 | 350 |
| Bloomington, IN | $78,100 | 90 |
| Springfield, OH | $78,020 | n/a |
| Lima, OH | $77,570 | 90 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $77,390 | 210 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $76,560 | 840 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $76,100 | 80 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $75,650 | 160 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $74,040 | 40 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $73,840 | 60 |
| Mansfield, OH | $72,860 | 50 |
| Sandusky, OH | $69,360 | 40 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $68,490 | 90 |
| 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 Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $83,650 | $40.22 |
| Physicians, All Other | $315,630 | $151.75 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,700 | $61.88 |
| Pharmacist | $140,200 | $67.40 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,890 | $49.47 |
| Dental Hygienist | $102,940 | $49.49 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $95,930 | $46.12 |
| Occupational Therapist | $100,870 | $48.50 |
| Physician Assistant | $128,520 | $61.79 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $221,170 | $106.33 |
| Veterinarian | $127,670 | $61.38 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $68,640 | $33.00 |
| Pediatricians, General | $216,750 | $104.21 |
| Dentists, General | $206,100 | $99.09 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
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 Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area is $81,600 a year, or $39.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $66,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn at least $99,020 a year. The top 25% earn $94,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,160 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $76,920 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
About 1,300 respiratory therapists are employed in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.