Respiratory Therapist salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK
Respiratory Therapists in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn a median of $78,080 a year ($37.54 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,070 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 6% higher than the Arkansas statewide median of $73,870. There are 1.1 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $73,560, close to the median.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,680 | $29.17 |
| 25th percentile | $63,900 | $30.72 |
| Median | $78,080 | $37.54 |
| 75th percentile | $78,410 | $37.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,070 | $38.01 |
| Average (mean) | $73,560 | $35.37 |
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 | $6,506.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,253.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,003.08 |
| Weekly | $1,501.54 |
| Hourly | $37.54 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City, OK | $80,810 | 950 |
| Tulsa, OK | $80,250 | 540 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $78,880 | 110 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $77,720 | 220 |
| Enid, OK | $77,230 | 40 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $75,300 | 530 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $66,460 | 670 |
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 Arkansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $79,870 | $38.40 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,270 | $62.15 |
| Physicians, All Other | $258,130 | $124.10 |
| Pharmacist | $133,520 | $64.19 |
| Physical Therapist | $98,730 | $47.47 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,480 | $40.62 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $81,300 | $39.09 |
| Occupational Therapist | $97,740 | $46.99 |
| Dentists, General | $165,060 | $79.36 |
| Physician Assistant | $119,840 | $57.61 |
| Therapists, All Other | $70,520 | $33.90 |
| Optometrist | $109,200 | $52.50 |
| Veterinarian | $104,110 | $50.06 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $55,880 | $26.86 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Fort Smith, AR-OK
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 Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area is $78,080 a year, or $37.54 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn at least $79,070 a year. The top 25% earn $78,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,680 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $63,900 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
About 100 respiratory therapists are employed in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area, not counting the self-employed.