Respiratory Therapists pay in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara

In San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (CA), the median pay for respiratory therapists is $71.96 an hour ($149,680 a year). About 1,060 people work in this job there.

$71.96Median hourly pay
$131,520–$168,980Middle half of workers, yearly
1,060People in this job in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (CA)

That is 82% higher than the U.S. median ($82,280). It is 43% higher than the California median ($104,820).

Pay range for respiratory therapists in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (CA)

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$47.12$98,000
25% of workers$63.23$131,520
Half of workers (median)$71.96$149,680
75% of workers$81.24$168,980
90% of workers$85.86$178,580

Respiratory Therapists pay in California metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (this page)$149,6801,060
Vallejo$136,200190
Santa Cruz-Watsonville$134,88070
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom$134,4301,140
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont$130,2202,010
Santa Rosa-Petaluma$123,220200
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles$112,43090
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara$108,600130
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad$105,0401,430
Napa$104,67060
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim$104,6407,010
Modesto$103,870270
Redding$103,83090
Bakersfield-Delano$102,760370
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura$102,250310
Stockton-Lodi$102,050350
Merced$101,81040
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario$100,4802,200
Fresno$83,340580
Visalia$82,030120

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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (CA)

JobMedian yearly pay
Registered Nurses$216,740
Physical Therapists$139,000
Physician Assistants$223,640
Pharmacists$199,040
Nurse Practitioners$231,560
Dentists, General$207,910

Other job titles for this job

CRRTCRTDiagnostics RRTHospital RTInfant RTInhalation TherapistLicensed CRTLicensed RTNicu RTOxygen TherapistRegistered Respiratory Care PractitionerRegistered RCP

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Source: 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.