Respiratory Therapist salary in Virginia
Respiratory Therapists in Virginia earn a median of $82,910 a year ($39.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,340 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,470 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $82,280. Virginia ranks 22nd of 51 states for respiratory therapists pay. There are 0.81 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $87,310, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,540 | $31.51 |
| 25th percentile | $78,820 | $37.89 |
| Median | $82,910 | $39.86 |
| 75th percentile | $94,770 | $45.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,470 | $51.19 |
| Average (mean) | $87,310 | $41.98 |
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 | $6,909.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,454.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,188.85 |
| Weekly | $1,594.42 |
| Hourly | $39.86 |
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 Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $101,990 | 1,850 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $86,720 | 120 |
| Richmond, VA | $81,750 | 630 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $81,470 | 120 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $80,990 | 710 |
| Roanoke, VA | $78,820 | 190 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $62,740 | 170 |
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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $93,600 | $45.00 |
| Physicians, All Other | $278,530 | $133.91 |
| Pharmacist | $144,060 | $69.26 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,450 | $48.78 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,810 | $61.45 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $96,250 | $46.27 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,940 | $65.36 |
| Occupational Therapist | $100,710 | $48.42 |
| Dentists, General | $197,110 | $94.76 |
| Dental Hygienist | $102,950 | $49.50 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $222,630 | $107.03 |
| Veterinarian | $126,730 | $60.93 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $77,380 | $37.20 |
| Optometrist | $131,570 | $63.25 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in Virginia is $82,910 a year, or $39.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,470 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Virginia?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in Virginia earn at least $106,470 a year. The top 25% earn $94,770 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,540 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $78,820 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Virginia?
About 3,340 respiratory therapists are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.