Respiratory Therapist salary in Maryland
Respiratory Therapists in Maryland earn a median of $88,960 a year ($42.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,800 workers.
Pay ranges from $69,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,430 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $82,280. Maryland ranks 13th of 51 states for respiratory therapists pay. There are 0.65 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.72). The average (mean) salary is $90,600, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Maryland
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $69,550 | $33.44 |
| 25th percentile | $82,920 | $39.86 |
| Median | $88,960 | $42.77 |
| 75th percentile | $101,340 | $48.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,430 | $51.17 |
| Average (mean) | $90,600 | $43.56 |
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 | $7,413.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,706.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,421.54 |
| Weekly | $1,710.77 |
| Hourly | $42.77 |
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 Maryland
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $101,990 | 1,850 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $88,790 | 2,990 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $88,020 | 960 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $74,300 | 70 |
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 Maryland
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $99,790 | $47.98 |
| Physicians, All Other | $212,080 | $101.96 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,110 | $63.03 |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $164,670 | $79.17 |
| Pharmacist | $138,990 | $66.82 |
| Physical Therapist | $106,890 | $51.39 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $99,190 | $47.69 |
| Dental Hygienist | $107,830 | $51.84 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $260,410 | $125.20 |
| Physician Assistant | $137,560 | $66.13 |
| Occupational Therapist | $106,980 | $51.43 |
| Dentists, General | $168,500 | $81.01 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $77,800 | $37.41 |
| Veterinarian | $163,170 | $78.45 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Maryland
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 Maryland?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in Maryland is $88,960 a year, or $42.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $69,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Maryland?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in Maryland earn at least $106,430 a year. The top 25% earn $101,340 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Maryland?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $69,550 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $82,920 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Maryland?
About 1,800 respiratory therapists are employed in Maryland, not counting the self-employed.