Respiratory Therapist salary in Missouri
Respiratory Therapists in Missouri earn a median of $78,390 a year ($37.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,030 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,730 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $82,280. Missouri ranks 39th 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 $76,490, close to the median.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Missouri
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,950 | $29.31 |
| 25th percentile | $64,800 | $31.15 |
| Median | $78,390 | $37.69 |
| 75th percentile | $83,030 | $39.92 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,730 | $46.02 |
| Average (mean) | $76,490 | $36.77 |
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 | $6,532.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,266.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,015 |
| Weekly | $1,507.50 |
| Hourly | $37.69 |
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 Missouri
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $79,210 | 1,260 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $79,140 | 1,190 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $77,500 | 50 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $73,860 | 50 |
| Springfield, MO | $72,490 | 310 |
| Columbia, MO | $69,400 | 150 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $66,910 | 90 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $65,630 | 150 |
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 Missouri
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,780 | $39.32 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,930 | $62.47 |
| Pharmacist | $137,610 | $66.16 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,310 | $47.75 |
| Physicians, All Other | $227,980 | $109.61 |
| Dental Hygienist | $92,750 | $44.59 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $171,180 | $82.30 |
| Occupational Therapist | $97,290 | $46.77 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $89,280 | $42.92 |
| Dentists, General | $204,960 | $98.54 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,130 | $64.96 |
| Veterinarian | $114,660 | $55.12 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $65,450 | $31.47 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $242,630 | $116.65 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Missouri
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 Missouri?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in Missouri is $78,390 a year, or $37.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Missouri?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in Missouri earn at least $95,730 a year. The top 25% earn $83,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Missouri?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,950 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $64,800 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Missouri?
About 3,030 respiratory therapists are employed in Missouri, not counting the self-employed.