Respiratory Therapist salary in Rhode Island
Respiratory Therapists in Rhode Island earn a median of $86,900 a year ($41.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 260 workers.
Pay ranges from $73,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $122,120 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $82,280. Rhode Island ranks 14th of 51 states for respiratory therapists pay. There are 0.51 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.57). The average (mean) salary is $93,410, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,240 | $35.21 |
| 25th percentile | $83,040 | $39.92 |
| Median | $86,900 | $41.78 |
| 75th percentile | $102,500 | $49.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $122,120 | $58.71 |
| Average (mean) | $93,410 | $44.91 |
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 | $7,241.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,620.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,342.31 |
| Weekly | $1,671.15 |
| Hourly | $41.78 |
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 Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $86,660 | 420 |
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 Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $100,640 | $48.39 |
| Pharmacist | $128,180 | $61.63 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $135,970 | $65.37 |
| Physicians, All Other | $228,590 | $109.90 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,400 | $47.79 |
| Physician Assistant | $139,930 | $67.27 |
| Dental Hygienist | $86,910 | $41.78 |
| Occupational Therapist | $100,040 | $48.10 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $104,000 | $50.00 |
| Veterinarian | $126,570 | $60.85 |
| Dentists, General | $161,560 | $77.67 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $71,300 | $34.28 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $379,490 | $182.45 |
| Emergency Medicine Physician | $512,730 | $246.51 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in Rhode Island is $86,900 a year, or $41.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $73,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $122,120 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Rhode Island?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in Rhode Island earn at least $122,120 a year. The top 25% earn $102,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $73,240 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $83,040 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Rhode Island?
About 260 respiratory therapists are employed in Rhode Island, not counting the self-employed.