Respiratory Therapist salary in Texas
Respiratory Therapists in Texas earn a median of $79,540 a year ($38.24 an hour), based on BLS data for 12,130 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,690 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $82,280. Texas ranks 34th of 51 states for respiratory therapists pay. There are 0.86 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $81,010, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Texas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,310 | $29.48 |
| 25th percentile | $69,670 | $33.50 |
| Median | $79,540 | $38.24 |
| 75th percentile | $93,680 | $45.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,690 | $47.93 |
| Average (mean) | $81,010 | $38.95 |
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 | $6,628.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,314.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,059.23 |
| Weekly | $1,529.62 |
| Hourly | $38.24 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Respiratory Therapist salary in cities in Texas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $84,080 | 3,010 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $82,760 | 770 |
| Amarillo, TX | $80,470 | 120 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $80,450 | 3,630 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $78,880 | 110 |
| Longview, TX | $78,520 | 90 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $78,130 | 210 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $77,900 | 950 |
| Midland, TX | $77,370 | 60 |
| Tyler, TX | $76,800 | 250 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $76,660 | 130 |
| Lubbock, TX | $76,530 | 220 |
| San Angelo, TX | $76,200 | 80 |
| Victoria, TX | $76,110 | 70 |
| El Paso, TX | $75,490 | 310 |
| Waco, TX | $75,370 | 100 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | $74,370 | 260 |
| Sherman-Denison, TX | $73,530 | 60 |
| Abilene, TX | $71,260 | 80 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | $66,990 | 110 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | $65,390 | 250 |
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 Texas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $95,970 | $46.14 |
| Physicians, All Other | $269,800 | $129.71 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,670 | $63.31 |
| Pharmacist | $138,260 | $66.47 |
| Physical Therapist | $105,810 | $50.87 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $99,910 | $48.03 |
| Dental Hygienist | $99,240 | $47.71 |
| Occupational Therapist | $106,140 | $51.03 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,550 | $64.69 |
| Dentists, General | $162,360 | $78.06 |
| Veterinarian | $131,330 | $63.14 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $235,710 | $113.32 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $74,440 | $35.79 |
| Optometrist | $126,000 | $60.58 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Texas
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 Texas?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in Texas is $79,540 a year, or $38.24 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Texas?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in Texas earn at least $99,690 a year. The top 25% earn $93,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Texas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,310 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $69,670 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Texas?
About 12,130 respiratory therapists are employed in Texas, not counting the self-employed.