🫁 Respiratory Therapist (RT) Salary 2026
Respiratory therapists earn a median salary of $77,960/year ($37.48/hour) nationally in 2026 — strong compensation for a career that typically requires only a two-year associate degree. Pay ranges from about $57,000 for entry-level CRTs to $100,000+ for experienced RRTs in ICU settings in high-paying states. Night shift differentials and weekend premiums frequently push total annual compensation well above base salary. This guide covers RT pay by state, setting, and credential level, plus after-tax take-home calculations.
Respiratory Therapist Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Experience and credential level (CRT vs RRT) are the primary drivers of RT salary progression. Most hospitals now require the RRT for ICU and critical care positions.
| Entry-level CRT (0–2 years) | $57,000/year · $27.40/hour |
| Mid-level RRT (3–6 years) | $72,000/year · $34.62/hour |
| Experienced RRT (7–12 years) | $90,000/year · $43.27/hour |
| Senior / ICU specialist (12+ years) | $105,000/year · $50.48/hour |
| Median (all levels) | $77,960/year · $37.48/hour |
Respiratory Therapist Salary After Tax (2026)
At the median RT salary of $77,960/year, a single filer in a no-state-tax state takes home approximately $62,400/year ($5,200/month) after federal income tax and FICA. State taxes reduce this meaningfully — California RTs at this salary take home roughly $4,750/month versus $5,200/month in Texas.
| Entry-level ($57,000/yr) | $46,500/year · $3,875/month |
| Mid-level ($72,000/yr) | $58,200/year · $4,850/month |
| Experienced ($90,000/yr) | $71,600/year · $5,967/month |
| Median ($77,960/yr) | $62,400/year · $5,200/month |
Respiratory Therapist Salary by State (2026)
California leads RT pay by a significant margin, driven by strong union contracts at major hospital systems and a high cost-of-living adjustment. No-income-tax states like Washington and Nevada offer strong after-tax value.
| California | $98,000/year · $47.12/hour |
| Washington | $91,000/year · $43.75/hour |
| Nevada | $89,000/year · $42.79/hour |
| Massachusetts | $87,000/year · $41.83/hour |
| New Jersey | $85,000/year · $40.87/hour |
| Texas | $79,000/year · $37.98/hour |
| New York | $82,000/year · $39.42/hour |
| Florida | $71,000/year · $34.13/hour |
| Georgia | $69,000/year · $33.17/hour |
| Ohio | $66,000/year · $31.73/hour |
| Mississippi | $58,000/year · $27.88/hour |
CRT vs RRT — Credential & Salary Comparison (2026)
The credential gap in respiratory therapy is significant and growing. Most major hospital systems have phased out CRT-only positions in critical care, making the RRT effectively mandatory for ICU and neonatal work.
| CRT — general floor / step-down | $57,000–$68,000/year |
| RRT — general hospital | $68,000–$85,000/year |
| RRT — ICU / critical care | $85,000–$100,000/year |
| RRT — neonatal / pediatric (NPS specialty) | $95,000–$115,000/year |
| RRT — sleep disorder specialist (SDS) | $80,000–$98,000/year |
RT Salary by Work Setting (2026)
Hospital-based RTs earn the most due to shift differentials and critical care premiums. Home health and sleep lab positions offer more predictable hours but lower base pay.
| Hospital ICU / critical care | $95,000/year |
| Hospital general (floor / step-down) | $78,000/year |
| Neonatal / NICU | $98,000/year |
| Home health / DME | $68,000/year |
| Sleep lab | $72,000/year |
| Skilled nursing facility | $74,000/year |
Shift Differentials — The Hidden Pay Boost
Shift differentials are a major component of RT total compensation that base salary figures don't capture. Most hospitals pay a premium for evening, night, and weekend shifts:
- Evening shift (3pm–11pm): typically $2–$4/hour extra
- Night shift (11pm–7am): typically $4–$8/hour extra
- Weekend differential: typically $2–$5/hour extra
- Holiday pay: typically 1.5x–2x base rate
An RT working predominantly night shifts can add $8,000–$16,000/year in differential pay on top of base salary — a meaningful boost that moves many RTs well past $90,000 annually.
Job Outlook & Growth
The BLS projects respiratory therapy employment to grow 13% from 2022 to 2032 — much faster than the average for all occupations. An aging population with higher rates of COPD, asthma, and sleep disorders drives structural demand. COVID-19 also permanently elevated hospital awareness of respiratory care capacity, and many systems have expanded RT staffing as a result.