Respiratory Therapist salary in Michigan
Respiratory Therapists in Michigan earn a median of $79,850 a year ($38.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,520 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,210 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $82,280. Michigan ranks 31st of 51 states for respiratory therapists pay. There are 1.0 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $78,550, close to the median.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Michigan
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,770 | $31.14 |
| 25th percentile | $71,740 | $34.49 |
| Median | $79,850 | $38.39 |
| 75th percentile | $83,020 | $39.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,210 | $43.37 |
| Average (mean) | $78,550 | $37.76 |
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 | $6,654.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,327.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,071.15 |
| Weekly | $1,535.58 |
| Hourly | $38.39 |
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 Michigan
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Battle Creek, MI | $81,440 | 60 |
| Monroe, MI | $81,290 | 30 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $80,790 | 1,910 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $79,850 | 390 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $79,450 | 110 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $78,530 | 160 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $78,070 | 690 |
| Flint, MI | $77,760 | 150 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $76,220 | 130 |
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 Michigan
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $94,300 | $45.34 |
| Physicians, All Other | $155,480 | $74.75 |
| Pharmacist | $137,860 | $66.28 |
| Dental Hygienist | $83,790 | $40.28 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,900 | $48.51 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,450 | $63.20 |
| Physician Assistant | $131,510 | $63.23 |
| Occupational Therapist | $89,910 | $43.23 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $89,120 | $42.84 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $214,070 | $102.92 |
| Dentists, General | $169,930 | $81.70 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $66,850 | $32.14 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $247,010 | $118.76 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $149,990 | $72.11 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Michigan
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 Michigan?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in Michigan is $79,850 a year, or $38.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Michigan?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in Michigan earn at least $90,210 a year. The top 25% earn $83,020 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Michigan?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,770 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $71,740 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Michigan?
About 4,520 respiratory therapists are employed in Michigan, not counting the self-employed.