Respiratory Therapist salary in Dubuque, IA
Respiratory Therapists in the Dubuque, IA metro area earn a median of $74,190 a year ($35.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,040 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 1% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $74,760. There are 0.69 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.77). The average (mean) salary is $70,610, close to the median.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Dubuque, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,260 | $30.89 |
| 25th percentile | $66,030 | $31.75 |
| Median | $74,190 | $35.67 |
| 75th percentile | $74,190 | $35.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,040 | $37.52 |
| Average (mean) | $70,610 | $33.95 |
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 | $6,182.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,091.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,853.46 |
| Weekly | $1,426.73 |
| Hourly | $35.67 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $81,270 | 460 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $75,650 | 200 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $75,460 | 100 |
| Iowa City, IA | $75,110 | 150 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $66,830 | 70 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $65,070 | 70 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $63,800 | 40 |
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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Dubuque, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $76,790 | $36.92 |
| Pharmacist | $145,390 | $69.90 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,620 | $62.32 |
| Dental Hygienist | $81,410 | $39.14 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,840 | $48.00 |
| Dentists, General | $161,140 | $77.47 |
| Physician Assistant | $126,050 | $60.60 |
| Physicians, All Other | $309,930 | $149.01 |
| Occupational Therapist | $94,210 | $45.29 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $85,030 | $40.88 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $45,100 | $21.69 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $63,750 | $30.65 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $55,680 | $26.77 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $74,530 | $35.83 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Dubuque, IA
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 Dubuque, IA?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Dubuque, IA metro area is $74,190 a year, or $35.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Dubuque, IA?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Dubuque, IA metro area earn at least $78,040 a year. The top 25% earn $74,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Dubuque, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,260 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $66,030 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Dubuque, IA?
About 40 respiratory therapists are employed in the Dubuque, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.