Respiratory Therapist salary in Rochester, NY
Respiratory Therapists in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median of $82,990 a year ($39.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 410 workers.
Pay ranges from $74,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,900 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 23% lower than the New York statewide median of $107,810. There are 0.83 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $87,410, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Rochester, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,580 | $35.85 |
| 25th percentile | $80,720 | $38.81 |
| Median | $82,990 | $39.90 |
| 75th percentile | $97,820 | $47.03 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,900 | $48.51 |
| Average (mean) | $87,410 | $42.03 |
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 | $6,915.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,457.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,191.92 |
| Weekly | $1,595.96 |
| Hourly | $39.90 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $110,490 | 7,010 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $106,910 | 240 |
| Binghamton, NY | $103,200 | 100 |
| Kingston, NY | $95,170 | 60 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $91,610 | 90 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $86,720 | 510 |
| Syracuse, NY | $85,860 | 280 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $85,250 | 300 |
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 New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rochester, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $86,570 | $41.62 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,110 | $61.59 |
| Physician Assistant | $130,430 | $62.71 |
| Physical Therapist | $83,070 | $39.94 |
| Pharmacist | $136,310 | $65.54 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $80,220 | $38.57 |
| Dental Hygienist | $93,650 | $45.02 |
| Occupational Therapist | $81,750 | $39.30 |
| Physicians, All Other | $214,550 | $103.15 |
| Dentists, General | $167,480 | $80.52 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $78,990 | $37.98 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $73,010 | $35.10 |
| Anesthesiologist | $366,040 | $175.98 |
| Veterinarian | $127,580 | $61.34 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Rochester, NY
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 Rochester, NY?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Rochester, NY metro area is $82,990 a year, or $39.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $74,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Rochester, NY?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Rochester, NY metro area earn at least $100,900 a year. The top 25% earn $97,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Rochester, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $74,580 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $80,720 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Rochester, NY?
About 410 respiratory therapists are employed in the Rochester, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.