Respiratory Therapist salary in Waco, TX
Respiratory Therapists in the Waco, TX metro area earn a median of $75,370 a year ($36.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,760 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 5% lower than the Texas statewide median of $79,540. There are 0.77 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $78,030, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Waco, TX
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,360 | $31.42 |
| 25th percentile | $67,890 | $32.64 |
| Median | $75,370 | $36.23 |
| 75th percentile | $81,790 | $39.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $91,760 | $44.12 |
| Average (mean) | $78,030 | $37.51 |
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 | $6,280.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,140.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,898.85 |
| Weekly | $1,449.42 |
| Hourly | $36.23 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
See Respiratory Therapist pay in every state or the Texas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Waco, TX
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $92,890 | $44.66 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,390 | $48.26 |
| Physicians, All Other | $312,520 | $150.25 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,920 | $61.98 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $90,220 | $43.37 |
| Pharmacist | $150,710 | $72.46 |
| Dental Hygienist | $95,340 | $45.84 |
| Occupational Therapist | $101,500 | $48.80 |
| Dentists, General | $145,630 | $70.02 |
| Physician Assistant | $131,000 | $62.98 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $73,850 | $35.51 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $235,710 | $113.32 |
| Veterinarian | $122,920 | $59.10 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $62,070 | $29.84 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Waco, TX
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 Waco, TX?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Waco, TX metro area is $75,370 a year, or $36.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Waco, TX?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Waco, TX metro area earn at least $91,760 a year. The top 25% earn $81,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Waco, TX?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,360 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $67,890 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Waco, TX?
About 100 respiratory therapists are employed in the Waco, TX metro area, not counting the self-employed.