Respiratory Therapist salary in Reading, PA
Respiratory Therapists in the Reading, PA metro area earn a median of $84,330 a year ($40.54 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $68,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,820 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 7% higher than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $78,490. There are 0.76 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $87,990, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Reading, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,460 | $32.91 |
| 25th percentile | $79,990 | $38.46 |
| Median | $84,330 | $40.54 |
| 75th percentile | $105,820 | $50.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,820 | $50.87 |
| Average (mean) | $87,990 | $42.31 |
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 | $7,027.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,513.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,243.46 |
| Weekly | $1,621.73 |
| Hourly | $40.54 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Respiratory Therapist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $88,790 | 2,990 |
| Lancaster, PA | $80,060 | 230 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $79,960 | 490 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $79,910 | 40 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $79,540 | 230 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $78,750 | 410 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $78,380 | 230 |
| Williamsport, PA | $78,300 | 50 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $75,470 | 1,220 |
| State College, PA | $73,690 | 60 |
| Johnstown, PA | $71,210 | 80 |
| Erie, PA | $62,480 | 110 |
| Altoona, PA | $59,980 | 40 |
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 |
See Respiratory Therapist pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Reading, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $98,470 | $47.34 |
| Physicians, All Other | $77,820 | $37.41 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $135,390 | $65.09 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,950 | $49.49 |
| Pharmacist | $143,210 | $68.85 |
| Dental Hygienist | $80,300 | $38.61 |
| Physician Assistant | $130,160 | $62.58 |
| Occupational Therapist | $95,470 | $45.90 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $92,930 | $44.68 |
| Dentists, General | $151,850 | $73.01 |
| Veterinarian | $133,110 | $64.00 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $71,480 | $34.37 |
| Chiropractor | $73,570 | $35.37 |
| Optometrist | $139,400 | $67.02 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Reading, PA
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 Reading, PA?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Reading, PA metro area is $84,330 a year, or $40.54 an hour. Pay ranges from $68,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,820 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Reading, PA?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Reading, PA metro area earn at least $105,820 a year. The top 25% earn $105,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Reading, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $68,460 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $79,990 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Reading, PA?
About 130 respiratory therapists are employed in the Reading, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.