Respiratory Therapist salary in Kentucky
Respiratory Therapists in Kentucky earn a median of $72,750 a year ($34.98 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,530 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,540 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $82,280. Kentucky ranks 45th of 51 states for respiratory therapists pay. There are 1.3 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $72,470, close to the median.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,330 | $28.04 |
| 25th percentile | $63,110 | $30.34 |
| Median | $72,750 | $34.98 |
| 75th percentile | $79,730 | $38.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,540 | $44.49 |
| Average (mean) | $72,470 | $34.84 |
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 | $6,062.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,031.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,798.08 |
| Weekly | $1,399.04 |
| Hourly | $34.98 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Respiratory Therapist salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $81,600 | 1,300 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $80,040 | 430 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $79,150 | 60 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $76,560 | 840 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $76,100 | 80 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $74,040 | 40 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $68,490 | 90 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $66,040 | 270 |
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 |
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,040 | $38.96 |
| Pharmacist | $136,530 | $65.64 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $122,870 | $59.07 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,710 | $48.42 |
| Physicians, All Other | $327,390 | $157.40 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $83,550 | $40.17 |
| Occupational Therapist | $97,650 | $46.95 |
| Dental Hygienist | $78,830 | $37.90 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $222,520 | $106.98 |
| Physician Assistant | $120,760 | $58.06 |
| Veterinarian | $104,100 | $50.05 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $248,730 | $119.58 |
| Anesthesiologist | $347,960 | $167.29 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $241,530 | $116.12 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in Kentucky is $72,750 a year, or $34.98 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in Kentucky earn at least $92,540 a year. The top 25% earn $79,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,330 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $63,110 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Kentucky?
About 2,530 respiratory therapists are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.