Respiratory Therapist salary in Madison, WI
Respiratory Therapists in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $81,530 a year ($39.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 350 workers.
Pay ranges from $75,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,320 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 3% lower than the Wisconsin statewide median of $84,210. There are 0.86 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $86,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,960 | $36.52 |
| 25th percentile | $80,520 | $38.71 |
| Median | $81,530 | $39.20 |
| 75th percentile | $98,300 | $47.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,320 | $48.23 |
| Average (mean) | $86,260 | $41.47 |
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 | $6,794.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,397.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,135.77 |
| Weekly | $1,567.88 |
| Hourly | $39.20 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $100,920 | 820 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $89,040 | 630 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $86,460 | 40 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $85,700 | 100 |
| Appleton, WI | $84,300 | 60 |
| Green Bay, WI | $82,300 | 130 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $81,600 | 70 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $80,900 | 50 |
| Kenosha, WI | $77,570 | 40 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $101,190 | $48.65 |
| Pharmacist | $158,120 | $76.02 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,810 | $49.43 |
| Physicians, All Other | $301,940 | $145.16 |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,340 | $48.24 |
| Occupational Therapist | $95,670 | $46.00 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $133,080 | $63.98 |
| Physician Assistant | $133,950 | $64.40 |
| Veterinarian | $115,210 | $55.39 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,890 | $41.78 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $75,250 | $36.18 |
| Dentists, General | $176,460 | $84.84 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $329,670 | $158.50 |
| Emergency Medicine Physician | $340,150 | $163.53 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Madison, WI
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 Madison, WI?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Madison, WI metro area is $81,530 a year, or $39.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $75,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $100,320 a year. The top 25% earn $98,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $75,960 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $80,520 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Madison, WI?
About 350 respiratory therapists are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.