Respiratory Therapist salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Respiratory Therapists in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median of $65,070 a year ($31.29 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,240 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 13% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $74,760. There are 0.83 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $68,760, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,550 | $27.19 |
| 25th percentile | $62,860 | $30.22 |
| Median | $65,070 | $31.29 |
| 75th percentile | $77,100 | $37.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,240 | $38.58 |
| Average (mean) | $68,760 | $33.06 |
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 | $5,422.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,711.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,502.69 |
| Weekly | $1,251.35 |
| Hourly | $31.29 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $81,270 | 460 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $75,650 | 200 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $75,460 | 100 |
| Iowa City, IA | $75,110 | 150 |
| Dubuque, IA | $74,190 | 40 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $66,830 | 70 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $63,800 | 40 |
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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $76,920 | $36.98 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,330 | $60.73 |
| Pharmacist | $138,690 | $66.68 |
| Dental Hygienist | $82,500 | $39.66 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $287,990 | $138.46 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $81,050 | $38.97 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,180 | $46.72 |
| Physicians, All Other | $295,200 | $141.92 |
| Occupational Therapist | $98,240 | $47.23 |
| Dentists, General | $163,600 | $78.66 |
| Physician Assistant | $132,880 | $63.89 |
| Veterinarian | $130,740 | $62.86 |
| Anesthesiologist | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Chiropractor | $63,280 | $30.42 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $65,070 a year, or $31.29 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn at least $80,240 a year. The top 25% earn $77,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,550 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $62,860 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
About 70 respiratory therapists are employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.