Respiratory Therapist salary in Lafayette, LA
Respiratory Therapists in the Lafayette, LA metro area earn a median of $76,210 a year ($36.64 an hour), based on BLS data for 290 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,070 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 1% higher than the Louisiana statewide median of $75,240. There are 1.6 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $75,670, close to the median.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Lafayette, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,460 | $29.55 |
| 25th percentile | $66,320 | $31.89 |
| Median | $76,210 | $36.64 |
| 75th percentile | $78,540 | $37.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $87,070 | $41.86 |
| Average (mean) | $75,670 | $36.38 |
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 | $6,350.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,175.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,931.15 |
| Weekly | $1,465.58 |
| Hourly | $36.64 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $76,680 | 230 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $76,590 | 620 |
| Hammond, LA | $75,990 | 80 |
| Monroe, LA | $75,770 | 90 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $74,220 | 320 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $73,940 | 280 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $73,680 | 60 |
| Alexandria, LA | $71,140 | 110 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $62,260 | 120 |
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 Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lafayette, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,960 | $39.41 |
| Pharmacist | $132,130 | $63.53 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $120,930 | $58.14 |
| Physical Therapist | $84,340 | $40.55 |
| Dental Hygienist | $81,900 | $39.38 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $69,610 | $33.46 |
| Dentists, General | $171,860 | $82.63 |
| Occupational Therapist | $85,710 | $41.21 |
| Physicians, All Other | $299,990 | $144.23 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $63,200 | $30.38 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $216,300 | $103.99 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,550 | $64.69 |
| Veterinarian | $124,470 | $59.84 |
| Chiropractor | $76,580 | $36.82 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Lafayette, LA
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 Lafayette, LA?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Lafayette, LA metro area is $76,210 a year, or $36.64 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Lafayette, LA?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Lafayette, LA metro area earn at least $87,070 a year. The top 25% earn $78,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Lafayette, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,460 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $66,320 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Lafayette, LA?
About 290 respiratory therapists are employed in the Lafayette, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.