Respiratory Therapists pay in California
In California, the median pay for respiratory therapists is $50.40 an hour ($104,820 a year). About 18,650 people work in this job there.
That is 27% higher than the U.S. median ($82,280). California ranks 3rd of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $37.02 | $77,010 |
| 25% of workers | $42.19 | $87,750 |
| Half of workers (median) | $50.40 | $104,820 |
| 75% of workers | $62.03 | $129,010 |
| 90% of workers | $69.96 | $145,510 |
Respiratory Therapists pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $149,680 | 1,060 |
| Vallejo | $136,200 | 190 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $134,880 | 70 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $134,430 | 1,140 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $130,220 | 2,010 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $123,220 | 200 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $112,430 | 90 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $108,600 | 130 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $105,040 | 1,430 |
| Napa | $104,670 | 60 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $104,640 | 7,010 |
| Modesto | $103,870 | 270 |
| Redding | $103,830 | 90 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $102,760 | 370 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $102,250 | 310 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $102,050 | 350 |
| Merced | $101,810 | 40 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $100,480 | 2,200 |
| Fresno | $83,340 | 580 |
| Visalia | $82,030 | 120 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for respiratory therapists
- Typical education to start: Associate's degree (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 1 to 2 years (O*NET)
- Job outlook: +8.5% over ten years, much faster than average · about 8,600 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | $140,270 |
| Physical Therapists | $124,190 |
| Physician Assistants | $165,650 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | $83,110 |
| Physical Therapist Aides | $38,330 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $78,170 |
| Paramedics | $74,590 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistants | $81,770 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.