Respiratory Therapist salary in Lake Charles, LA
Respiratory Therapists in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn a median of $73,680 a year ($35.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,450 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 2% lower than the Louisiana statewide median of $75,240. There are 0.62 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.69). The average (mean) salary is $72,550, close to the median.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Lake Charles, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,640 | $28.19 |
| 25th percentile | $64,080 | $30.81 |
| Median | $73,680 | $35.42 |
| 75th percentile | $81,530 | $39.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,450 | $40.12 |
| Average (mean) | $72,550 | $34.88 |
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 | $6,140 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,070 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,833.85 |
| Weekly | $1,416.92 |
| Hourly | $35.42 |
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 |
| Lafayette, LA | $76,210 | 290 |
| Hammond, LA | $75,990 | 80 |
| Monroe, LA | $75,770 | 90 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $74,220 | 320 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $73,940 | 280 |
| 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 Lake Charles, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $90,690 | $43.60 |
| Pharmacist | $133,720 | $64.29 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $64,720 | $31.11 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,460 | $61.76 |
| Physical Therapist | $88,900 | $42.74 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,080 | $40.42 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Dentists, General | $114,470 | $55.03 |
| Occupational Therapist | $83,840 | $40.31 |
| Physicians, All Other | $284,440 | $136.75 |
| Veterinarian | $115,210 | $55.39 |
| Physician Assistant | $127,160 | $61.13 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $53,300 | $25.63 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $41,520 | $19.96 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Lake Charles, 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 Lake Charles, LA?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Lake Charles, LA metro area is $73,680 a year, or $35.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Lake Charles, LA?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn at least $83,450 a year. The top 25% earn $81,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Lake Charles, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,640 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $64,080 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Lake Charles, LA?
About 60 respiratory therapists are employed in the Lake Charles, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.