Respiratory Therapist salary in Wilmington, NC
Respiratory Therapists in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn a median of $81,020 a year ($38.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 200 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,830 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $82,280. Pay here is 1% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $80,090. There are 1.1 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $79,910, close to the median.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in Wilmington, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,490 | $31.01 |
| 25th percentile | $65,730 | $31.60 |
| Median | $81,020 | $38.95 |
| 75th percentile | $86,950 | $41.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,830 | $46.07 |
| Average (mean) | $79,910 | $38.42 |
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 | $6,751.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,375.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,116.15 |
| Weekly | $1,558.08 |
| Hourly | $38.95 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $87,820 | 430 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $82,020 | 1,110 |
| Asheville, NC | $81,550 | 150 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $80,990 | 710 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $80,650 | 110 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $80,250 | 530 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $80,090 | 290 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $78,350 | 130 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $73,830 | 70 |
| Greenville, NC | $69,310 | 150 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $54,790 | 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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Wilmington, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $80,970 | $38.93 |
| Pharmacist | $151,790 | $72.98 |
| Physical Therapist | $98,770 | $47.49 |
| Physicians, All Other | $252,960 | $121.62 |
| Dental Hygienist | $96,700 | $46.49 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,990 | $60.09 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $82,410 | $39.62 |
| Physician Assistant | $131,270 | $63.11 |
| Occupational Therapist | $86,420 | $41.55 |
| Dentists, General | $185,720 | $89.29 |
| Veterinarian | $131,670 | $63.30 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $62,080 | $29.85 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $218,830 | $105.21 |
| Optometrist | $163,800 | $78.75 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Wilmington, NC
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 Wilmington, NC?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Wilmington, NC metro area is $81,020 a year, or $38.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,830 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in Wilmington, NC?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn at least $95,830 a year. The top 25% earn $86,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in Wilmington, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,490 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $65,730 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in Wilmington, NC?
About 200 respiratory therapists are employed in the Wilmington, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.