Respiratory Therapist salary in Columbia, MO
Respiratory Therapists in the Columbia, MO metro area earn a median of $69,400 a year ($33.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,780 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 11% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $78,390. There are 1.3 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $73,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Columbia, MO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,450 | $26.66 |
| 25th percentile | $69,400 | $33.36 |
| Median | $69,400 | $33.36 |
| 75th percentile | $83,780 | $40.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,780 | $40.28 |
| Average (mean) | $73,560 | $35.36 |
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 | $5,783.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,891.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,669.23 |
| Weekly | $1,334.62 |
| Hourly | $33.36 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $79,210 | 1,260 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $79,140 | 1,190 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $77,500 | 50 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $73,860 | 50 |
| Springfield, MO | $72,490 | 310 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $66,910 | 90 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $65,630 | 150 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, MO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $84,330 | $40.54 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $69,590 | $33.46 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,930 | $61.99 |
| Pharmacist | $139,430 | $67.03 |
| Physical Therapist | $83,320 | $40.06 |
| Physicians, All Other | $312,080 | $150.04 |
| Occupational Therapist | $98,550 | $47.38 |
| Dental Hygienist | $86,300 | $41.49 |
| Physician Assistant | $132,220 | $63.57 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $97,610 | $46.93 |
| Veterinarian | $99,620 | $47.89 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $310,170 | $149.12 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $66,640 | $32.04 |
| Dentists, General | $207,450 | $99.74 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, MO
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 Columbia, MO?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Columbia, MO metro area is $69,400 a year, or $33.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Columbia, MO?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Columbia, MO metro area earn at least $83,780 a year. The top 25% earn $83,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Columbia, MO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,450 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $69,400 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Columbia, MO?
About 150 respiratory therapists are employed in the Columbia, MO metro area, not counting the self-employed.