Respiratory Therapist salary in Connecticut
Respiratory Therapists in Connecticut earn a median of $85,230 a year ($40.98 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,370 workers.
Pay ranges from $72,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,620 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $82,280. Connecticut ranks 17th of 51 states for respiratory therapists pay. There are 0.81 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $92,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Connecticut
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $72,410 | $34.81 |
| 25th percentile | $80,570 | $38.74 |
| Median | $85,230 | $40.98 |
| 75th percentile | $98,010 | $47.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $121,620 | $58.47 |
| Average (mean) | $92,510 | $44.48 |
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 | $7,102.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,551.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,278.08 |
| Weekly | $1,639.04 |
| Hourly | $40.98 |
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 Connecticut
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $98,010 | 260 |
| Waterbury-Shelton, CT | $89,660 | 140 |
| New Haven, CT | $85,230 | 240 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $81,770 | 550 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | $78,700 | 80 |
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 Connecticut
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $102,740 | $49.39 |
| Physicians, All Other | $214,990 | $103.36 |
| Physical Therapist | $104,360 | $50.17 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $138,470 | $66.57 |
| Physician Assistant | $139,860 | $67.24 |
| Pharmacist | $141,290 | $67.93 |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,690 | $48.41 |
| Occupational Therapist | $102,440 | $49.25 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $100,110 | $48.13 |
| Dentists, General | $160,440 | $77.13 |
| Pediatricians, General | $216,830 | $104.25 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $208,000 | $100.00 |
| Veterinarian | $126,190 | $60.67 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $80,600 | $38.75 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Connecticut
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 Connecticut?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in Connecticut is $85,230 a year, or $40.98 an hour. Pay ranges from $72,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,620 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Connecticut?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in Connecticut earn at least $121,620 a year. The top 25% earn $98,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Connecticut?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $72,410 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $80,570 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Connecticut?
About 1,370 respiratory therapists are employed in Connecticut, not counting the self-employed.