Respiratory Therapist salary in New Jersey
Respiratory Therapists in New Jersey earn a median of $100,810 a year ($48.47 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,350 workers.
Pay ranges from $78,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,370 for the top 10%. That is 23% higher than the national median of $82,280. New Jersey ranks 6th of 51 states for respiratory therapists pay. There are 0.78 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $99,760, close to the median.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,000 | $37.50 |
| 25th percentile | $87,560 | $42.09 |
| Median | $100,810 | $48.47 |
| 75th percentile | $106,320 | $51.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,370 | $59.31 |
| Average (mean) | $99,760 | $47.96 |
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 | $8,400.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,200.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,877.31 |
| Weekly | $1,938.65 |
| Hourly | $48.47 |
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 New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $110,490 | 7,010 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $104,350 | 110 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $88,790 | 2,990 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $79,960 | 490 |
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 New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $106,500 | $51.20 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $159,310 | $76.59 |
| Physical Therapist | $112,140 | $53.91 |
| Physicians, All Other | $285,010 | $137.02 |
| Pharmacist | $137,620 | $66.16 |
| Dental Hygienist | $107,040 | $51.46 |
| Therapists, All Other | $100,250 | $48.20 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $101,560 | $48.83 |
| Occupational Therapist | $103,410 | $49.72 |
| Physician Assistant | $165,690 | $79.66 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $292,170 | $140.47 |
| Dentists, General | $171,330 | $82.37 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $89,990 | $43.26 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $84,450 | $40.60 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
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 New Jersey?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in New Jersey is $100,810 a year, or $48.47 an hour. Pay ranges from $78,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,370 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in New Jersey earn at least $123,370 a year. The top 25% earn $106,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $78,000 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $87,560 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in New Jersey?
About 3,350 respiratory therapists are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.