Respiratory Therapist salary in Jefferson City, MO
Respiratory Therapists in the Jefferson City, MO metro area earn a median of $77,500 a year ($37.26 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,040 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 1% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $78,390. There are 0.57 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.63). The average (mean) salary is $73,900, close to the median.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Jefferson City, MO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,400 | $29.52 |
| 25th percentile | $63,870 | $30.71 |
| Median | $77,500 | $37.26 |
| 75th percentile | $77,550 | $37.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,040 | $43.29 |
| Average (mean) | $73,900 | $35.53 |
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 | $6,458.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,229.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,980.77 |
| Weekly | $1,490.38 |
| Hourly | $37.26 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $79,210 | 1,260 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $79,140 | 1,190 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $73,860 | 50 |
| Springfield, MO | $72,490 | 310 |
| Columbia, MO | $69,400 | 150 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $66,910 | 90 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $65,630 | 150 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Jefferson City, MO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $85,010 | $40.87 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,710 | $61.88 |
| Pharmacist | $130,190 | $62.59 |
| Physical Therapist | $98,070 | $47.15 |
| Dental Hygienist | $85,290 | $41.01 |
| Dentists, General | $208,630 | $100.30 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $62,490 | $30.05 |
| Occupational Therapist | $95,110 | $45.73 |
| Physicians, All Other | $220,460 | $105.99 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $83,740 | $40.26 |
| Veterinarian | $101,230 | $48.67 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $224,100 | $107.74 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,340 | $65.07 |
| Psychiatrist | $282,050 | $135.60 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Jefferson City, MO
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 Jefferson City, MO?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Jefferson City, MO metro area is $77,500 a year, or $37.26 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Jefferson City, MO?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Jefferson City, MO metro area earn at least $90,040 a year. The top 25% earn $77,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Jefferson City, MO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,400 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $63,870 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Jefferson City, MO?
About 50 respiratory therapists are employed in the Jefferson City, MO metro area, not counting the self-employed.