Respiratory Therapist salary in Washington
Respiratory Therapists in Washington earn a median of $101,130 a year ($48.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,860 workers.
Pay ranges from $76,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,520 for the top 10%. That is 23% higher than the national median of $82,280. Washington ranks 5th of 51 states for respiratory therapists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.52 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.58). The average (mean) salary is $99,740, close to the median.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,080 | $36.58 |
| 25th percentile | $84,870 | $40.81 |
| Median | $101,130 | $48.62 |
| 75th percentile | $106,150 | $51.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,520 | $61.31 |
| Average (mean) | $99,740 | $47.95 |
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 | $8,427.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,213.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,889.62 |
| Weekly | $1,944.81 |
| Hourly | $48.62 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $104,220 | 1,130 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $100,030 | 760 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $98,320 | 60 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $124,200 | $59.71 |
| Pharmacist | $160,610 | $77.22 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $156,100 | $75.05 |
| Dental Hygienist | $131,160 | $63.06 |
| Physicians, All Other | $307,170 | $147.68 |
| Physical Therapist | $105,950 | $50.94 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $105,550 | $50.74 |
| Physician Assistant | $164,360 | $79.02 |
| Occupational Therapist | $107,670 | $51.77 |
| Dentists, General | $169,730 | $81.60 |
| Veterinarian | $160,510 | $77.17 |
| Anesthesiologist | $499,990 | $240.38 |
| Radiologist | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $84,220 | $40.49 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in Washington is $101,130 a year, or $48.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $76,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Washington?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in Washington earn at least $127,520 a year. The top 25% earn $106,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $76,080 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $84,870 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Washington?
About 1,860 respiratory therapists are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.