Respiratory Therapist salary in St. Joseph, MO-KS
Respiratory Therapists in the St. Joseph, MO-KS metro area earn a median of $73,860 a year ($35.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,450 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 6% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $78,390. There are 1.00 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $72,020, close to the median.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in St. Joseph, MO-KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,980 | $28.84 |
| 25th percentile | $59,980 | $28.84 |
| Median | $73,860 | $35.51 |
| 75th percentile | $73,860 | $35.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $91,450 | $43.97 |
| Average (mean) | $72,020 | $34.62 |
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 | $6,155 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,077.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,840.77 |
| Weekly | $1,420.38 |
| Hourly | $35.51 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $79,210 | 1,260 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $79,140 | 1,190 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $77,500 | 50 |
| Topeka, KS | $77,190 | 120 |
| Springfield, MO | $72,490 | 310 |
| Wichita, KS | $71,330 | 320 |
| Columbia, MO | $69,400 | 150 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $66,910 | 90 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $65,630 | 150 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Joseph, MO-KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $77,240 | $37.13 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,710 | $61.88 |
| Pharmacist | $131,720 | $63.33 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,310 | $47.75 |
| Dental Hygienist | $87,370 | $42.01 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $400,000 | $192.31 |
| Occupational Therapist | $92,640 | $44.54 |
| Physicians, All Other | $217,670 | $104.65 |
| Dentists, General | $207,450 | $99.74 |
| Physician Assistant | $138,060 | $66.38 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $93,880 | $45.14 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $64,060 | $30.80 |
| Veterinarian | $118,290 | $56.87 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $60,720 | $29.19 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in St. Joseph, MO-KS
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 St. Joseph, MO-KS?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the St. Joseph, MO-KS metro area is $73,860 a year, or $35.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in St. Joseph, MO-KS?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the St. Joseph, MO-KS metro area earn at least $91,450 a year. The top 25% earn $73,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in St. Joseph, MO-KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,980 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $59,980 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in St. Joseph, MO-KS?
About 50 respiratory therapists are employed in the St. Joseph, MO-KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.