Respiratory Therapist salary in Salem, OR
Respiratory Therapists in the Salem, OR metro area earn a median of $104,360 a year ($50.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $89,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $122,190 for the top 10%. That is 27% higher than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 4% higher than the Oregon statewide median of $100,560. There are 0.69 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.77). The average (mean) salary is $107,350, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Salem, OR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $89,160 | $42.87 |
| 25th percentile | $101,260 | $48.68 |
| Median | $104,360 | $50.18 |
| 75th percentile | $122,190 | $58.74 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $122,190 | $58.74 |
| Average (mean) | $107,350 | $51.61 |
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 | $8,696.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,348.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,013.85 |
| Weekly | $2,006.92 |
| Hourly | $50.18 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Medford, OR | $102,780 | 90 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $100,030 | 760 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | $85,930 | 120 |
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 Oregon statewide figures.
Related jobs in Salem, OR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $131,750 | $63.34 |
| Physicians, All Other | $373,970 | $179.79 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $162,600 | $78.17 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,970 | $48.06 |
| Dental Hygienist | $119,050 | $57.24 |
| Pharmacist | $169,210 | $81.35 |
| Physician Assistant | $144,190 | $69.32 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $295,170 | $141.91 |
| Dentists, General | $212,310 | $102.07 |
| Occupational Therapist | $109,700 | $52.74 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $102,360 | $49.21 |
| Veterinarian | $130,330 | $62.66 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $89,220 | $42.90 |
| Optometrist | $134,590 | $64.71 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Salem, OR
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 Salem, OR?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Salem, OR metro area is $104,360 a year, or $50.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $89,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $122,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Salem, OR?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Salem, OR metro area earn at least $122,190 a year. The top 25% earn $122,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Salem, OR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $89,160 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $101,260 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Salem, OR?
About 130 respiratory therapists are employed in the Salem, OR metro area, not counting the self-employed.