Respiratory Therapist salary in Joplin, MO-KS
Respiratory Therapists in the Joplin, MO-KS metro area earn a median of $65,630 a year ($31.55 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,930 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 16% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $78,390. There are 1.8 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $68,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Joplin, MO-KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,990 | $28.84 |
| 25th percentile | $61,590 | $29.61 |
| Median | $65,630 | $31.55 |
| 75th percentile | $74,250 | $35.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,930 | $38.43 |
| Average (mean) | $68,510 | $32.94 |
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 | $5,469.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,734.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,524.23 |
| Weekly | $1,262.12 |
| Hourly | $31.55 |
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 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $77,500 | 50 |
| Topeka, KS | $77,190 | 120 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $73,860 | 50 |
| Springfield, MO | $72,490 | 310 |
| Wichita, KS | $71,330 | 320 |
| Columbia, MO | $69,400 | 150 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $66,910 | 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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Joplin, MO-KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $74,930 | $36.03 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,640 | $60.89 |
| Pharmacist | $127,710 | $61.40 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,150 | $48.15 |
| Dental Hygienist | $83,270 | $40.03 |
| Physicians, All Other | $324,090 | $155.81 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $81,040 | $38.96 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $200,530 | $96.41 |
| Occupational Therapist | $93,410 | $44.91 |
| Physician Assistant | $150,300 | $72.26 |
| Dentists, General | $201,820 | $97.03 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $58,610 | $28.18 |
| Veterinarian | $102,700 | $49.38 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $170,770 | $82.10 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Joplin, MO-KS
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 Joplin, MO-KS?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Joplin, MO-KS metro area is $65,630 a year, or $31.55 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Joplin, MO-KS?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Joplin, MO-KS metro area earn at least $79,930 a year. The top 25% earn $74,250 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Joplin, MO-KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,990 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $61,590 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Joplin, MO-KS?
About 150 respiratory therapists are employed in the Joplin, MO-KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.