Respiratory Therapist salary in Syracuse, NY
Respiratory Therapists in the Syracuse, NY metro area earn a median of $85,860 a year ($41.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $68,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,720 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 20% lower than the New York statewide median of $107,810. There are 0.94 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $89,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Syracuse, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,330 | $32.85 |
| 25th percentile | $82,030 | $39.44 |
| Median | $85,860 | $41.28 |
| 75th percentile | $102,080 | $49.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,720 | $49.38 |
| Average (mean) | $89,860 | $43.20 |
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 | $7,155 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,577.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,302.31 |
| Weekly | $1,651.15 |
| Hourly | $41.28 |
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 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $85,250 | 300 |
| Rochester, NY | $82,990 | 410 |
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 Syracuse, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $86,960 | $41.81 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,010 | $63.47 |
| Pharmacist | $149,510 | $71.88 |
| Physical Therapist | $92,080 | $44.27 |
| Physician Assistant | $133,000 | $63.94 |
| Dental Hygienist | $93,640 | $45.02 |
| Physicians, All Other | $286,920 | $137.94 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $85,120 | $40.93 |
| Occupational Therapist | $86,110 | $41.40 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $269,270 | $129.46 |
| Dentists, General | $191,830 | $92.23 |
| Emergency Medicine Physician | $181,980 | $87.49 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $78,460 | $37.72 |
| Veterinarian | $124,400 | $59.81 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Syracuse, 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 Syracuse, NY?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Syracuse, NY metro area is $85,860 a year, or $41.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $68,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Syracuse, NY?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Syracuse, NY metro area earn at least $102,720 a year. The top 25% earn $102,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Syracuse, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $68,330 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $82,030 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Syracuse, NY?
About 280 respiratory therapists are employed in the Syracuse, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.