Respiratory Therapist salary in South Carolina
Respiratory Therapists in South Carolina earn a median of $77,740 a year ($37.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,960 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,670 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $82,280. South Carolina ranks 40th of 51 states for respiratory therapists pay. There are 0.85 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $76,490, close to the median.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,700 | $30.63 |
| 25th percentile | $67,410 | $32.41 |
| Median | $77,740 | $37.38 |
| 75th percentile | $82,400 | $39.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,670 | $43.59 |
| Average (mean) | $76,490 | $36.78 |
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 | $6,478.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,239.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,990 |
| Weekly | $1,495 |
| Hourly | $37.38 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $77,740 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Respiratory Therapist salary in cities in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $82,020 | 1,110 |
| Columbia, SC | $79,780 | 330 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $79,410 | 390 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $78,560 | 350 |
| Florence, SC | $78,550 | 100 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $78,390 | 400 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $76,440 | 150 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $67,700 | 220 |
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 South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $82,360 | $39.60 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $123,290 | $59.28 |
| Pharmacist | $135,700 | $65.24 |
| Physicians, All Other | $274,480 | $131.96 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,330 | $48.72 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,340 | $40.55 |
| Physician Assistant | $122,490 | $58.89 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $90,530 | $43.52 |
| Dentists, General | $158,640 | $76.27 |
| Occupational Therapist | $101,130 | $48.62 |
| Veterinarian | $122,130 | $58.72 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $359,500 | $172.84 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $239,200 | $115.00 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $265,480 | $127.64 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
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 South Carolina?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in South Carolina is $77,740 a year, or $37.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in South Carolina earn at least $90,670 a year. The top 25% earn $82,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,700 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $67,410 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in South Carolina?
About 1,960 respiratory therapists are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.