Respiratory Therapist salary in Topeka, KS
Respiratory Therapists in the Topeka, KS metro area earn a median of $77,190 a year ($37.11 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,440 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is about the same as the Kansas statewide median of $76,970. There are 1.0 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $74,520, close to the median.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Topeka, KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,780 | $24.90 |
| 25th percentile | $64,220 | $30.88 |
| Median | $77,190 | $37.11 |
| 75th percentile | $82,170 | $39.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,440 | $40.60 |
| Average (mean) | $74,520 | $35.83 |
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 | $6,432.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,216.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,968.85 |
| Weekly | $1,484.42 |
| Hourly | $37.11 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $79,140 | 1,190 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $73,860 | 50 |
| Wichita, KS | $71,330 | 320 |
| 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 Kansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Topeka, KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,820 | $39.34 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,740 | $63.82 |
| Physicians, All Other | $451,910 | $217.26 |
| Pharmacist | $140,820 | $67.70 |
| Dental Hygienist | $88,220 | $42.42 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,570 | $46.91 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $78,970 | $37.97 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,070 | $47.63 |
| Recreational Therapist | $42,180 | $20.28 |
| Veterinarian | $107,990 | $51.92 |
| Dentists, General | $164,670 | $79.17 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $71,570 | $34.41 |
| Physician Assistant | $129,800 | $62.41 |
| Optometrist | $130,930 | $62.95 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Topeka, 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 Topeka, KS?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Topeka, KS metro area is $77,190 a year, or $37.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,440 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Topeka, KS?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Topeka, KS metro area earn at least $84,440 a year. The top 25% earn $82,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Topeka, KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,780 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $64,220 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Topeka, KS?
About 120 respiratory therapists are employed in the Topeka, KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.