Respiratory Therapist salary in Massachusetts
Respiratory Therapists in Massachusetts earn a median of $102,170 a year ($49.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,220 workers.
Pay ranges from $80,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,930 for the top 10%. That is 24% higher than the national median of $82,280. Massachusetts ranks 4th of 51 states for respiratory therapists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.61 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.68). The average (mean) salary is $100,580, close to the median.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,330 | $38.62 |
| 25th percentile | $86,120 | $41.40 |
| Median | $102,170 | $49.12 |
| 75th percentile | $107,930 | $51.89 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,930 | $59.58 |
| Average (mean) | $100,580 | $48.36 |
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 | $8,514.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,257.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,929.62 |
| Weekly | $1,964.81 |
| Hourly | $49.12 |
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 Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $104,580 | 1,560 |
| Worcester, MA | $98,120 | 250 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $86,660 | 420 |
| Springfield, MA | $86,030 | 200 |
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 Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $104,550 | $50.27 |
| Physicians, All Other | $236,580 | $113.74 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $142,440 | $68.48 |
| Pharmacist | $138,170 | $66.43 |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,640 | $48.39 |
| Physical Therapist | $103,790 | $49.90 |
| Occupational Therapist | $100,930 | $48.53 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $101,310 | $48.71 |
| Physician Assistant | $142,410 | $68.47 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $277,490 | $133.41 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $76,660 | $36.86 |
| Dentists, General | $181,600 | $87.31 |
| Pediatricians, General | $221,170 | $106.33 |
| Veterinarian | $140,260 | $67.43 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in Massachusetts is $102,170 a year, or $49.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $80,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in Massachusetts earn at least $123,930 a year. The top 25% earn $107,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $80,330 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $86,120 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Massachusetts?
About 2,220 respiratory therapists are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.