Respiratory Therapist salary in Erie, PA
Respiratory Therapists in the Erie, PA metro area earn a median of $62,480 a year ($30.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,490 for the top 10%. That is 24% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 20% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $78,490. There are 0.93 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $67,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Erie, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,140 | $28.43 |
| 25th percentile | $59,140 | $28.43 |
| Median | $62,480 | $30.04 |
| 75th percentile | $77,130 | $37.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,490 | $37.74 |
| Average (mean) | $67,460 | $32.44 |
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 | $5,206.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,603.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,403.08 |
| Weekly | $1,201.54 |
| Hourly | $30.04 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $62,480 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Respiratory Therapist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $88,790 | 2,990 |
| Reading, PA | $84,330 | 130 |
| Lancaster, PA | $80,060 | 230 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $79,960 | 490 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $79,910 | 40 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $79,540 | 230 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $78,750 | 410 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $78,380 | 230 |
| Williamsport, PA | $78,300 | 50 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $75,470 | 1,220 |
| State College, PA | $73,690 | 60 |
| Johnstown, PA | $71,210 | 80 |
| Altoona, PA | $59,980 | 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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Erie, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $80,000 | $38.46 |
| Physicians, All Other | $73,600 | $35.39 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $122,100 | $58.70 |
| Physical Therapist | $94,830 | $45.59 |
| Pharmacist | $128,360 | $61.71 |
| Physician Assistant | $111,260 | $53.49 |
| Dental Hygienist | $77,360 | $37.19 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $84,190 | $40.48 |
| Occupational Therapist | $93,560 | $44.98 |
| Dentists, General | $137,530 | $66.12 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $66,730 | $32.08 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $212,120 | $101.98 |
| Veterinarian | $123,670 | $59.46 |
| Chiropractor | $62,990 | $30.28 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Erie, PA
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 Erie, PA?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Erie, PA metro area is $62,480 a year, or $30.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Erie, PA?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Erie, PA metro area earn at least $78,490 a year. The top 25% earn $77,130 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Erie, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,140 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $59,140 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Erie, PA?
About 110 respiratory therapists are employed in the Erie, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.