Respiratory Therapist salary in Colorado
Respiratory Therapists in Colorado earn a median of $86,220 a year ($41.45 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,110 workers.
Pay ranges from $66,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,070 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $82,280. Colorado ranks 15th of 51 states for respiratory therapists pay. There are 0.73 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $88,300, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,560 | $32.00 |
| 25th percentile | $78,980 | $37.97 |
| Median | $86,220 | $41.45 |
| 75th percentile | $100,130 | $48.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $109,070 | $52.44 |
| Average (mean) | $88,300 | $42.45 |
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 | $7,185 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,592.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,316.15 |
| Weekly | $1,658.08 |
| Hourly | $41.45 |
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 Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | $91,880 | 130 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $100,260 | $48.20 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,030 | $49.05 |
| Pharmacist | $156,030 | $75.01 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $110,750 | $53.25 |
| Dental Hygienist | $109,580 | $52.68 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,930 | $63.91 |
| Occupational Therapist | $106,720 | $51.31 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,540 | $64.68 |
| Dentists, General | $166,240 | $79.92 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $265,560 | $127.67 |
| Veterinarian | $130,840 | $62.91 |
| Physicians, All Other | $298,320 | $143.42 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $75,510 | $36.30 |
| Chiropractor | $74,040 | $35.60 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Colorado
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 Colorado?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in Colorado is $86,220 a year, or $41.45 an hour. Pay ranges from $66,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Colorado?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in Colorado earn at least $109,070 a year. The top 25% earn $100,130 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,560 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $78,980 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Colorado?
About 2,110 respiratory therapists are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.