Respiratory Therapist salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Respiratory Therapists in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median of $85,870 a year ($41.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,100 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $110,070 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is about the same as the Colorado statewide median of $86,220. There are 0.68 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $88,360, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,230 | $31.36 |
| 25th percentile | $79,090 | $38.02 |
| Median | $85,870 | $41.28 |
| 75th percentile | $100,130 | $48.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $110,070 | $52.92 |
| Average (mean) | $88,360 | $42.48 |
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 | $7,155.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,577.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,302.69 |
| Weekly | $1,651.35 |
| Hourly | $41.28 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | $91,880 | 130 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $87,890 | 330 |
| 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 |
See Respiratory Therapist pay in every state or the Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $101,130 | $48.62 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,340 | $49.20 |
| Pharmacist | $157,890 | $75.91 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $112,090 | $53.89 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $134,040 | $64.44 |
| Dental Hygienist | $113,760 | $54.69 |
| Dentists, General | $168,620 | $81.07 |
| Occupational Therapist | $107,500 | $51.68 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,540 | $64.68 |
| Physicians, All Other | $298,600 | $143.56 |
| Veterinarian | $135,090 | $64.95 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $255,590 | $122.88 |
| Chiropractor | $84,100 | $40.43 |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $96,160 | $46.23 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $85,870 a year, or $41.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $110,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn at least $110,070 a year. The top 25% earn $100,130 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,230 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $79,090 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
About 1,100 respiratory therapists are employed in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.