PayByState

District of Columbia · BLS SOC 29-1126

Respiratory Therapist salary in District of Columbia

Median $94,330 · Top 10% earn $128,750+ · Roughly 405 workers in District of Columbia. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

District of Columbia median
$94,330
$45.35/hr
Top 10%
$128,750
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$65,540
Entry-level range
Real pay
$81,249
CoL-adjusted (RPP 116.1)

District of Columbia pays meaningfully above the U.S. median for respiratory therapists — $94,330 versus the national median of $77,960. After adjusting for District of Columbia's high cost of living, the pay edge narrows to about $3,289 above U.S. average buying power. The state employs roughly 405 respiratory therapists.

What drives respiratory therapist pay in District of Columbia

District of Columbia sits in the top quartile of U.S. respiratory therapist pay. The structural drivers are typical of high-pay states for this occupation: strong hospital system concentration, limited credential supply, or regulatory frameworks that compress labor availability.

District of Columbia ranks #3 of 50 states

Where District of Columbia sits in the national distribution for respiratory therapist pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank State Median vs. District of Columbia
#2 Washington $95,110 +$780
#1 California $109,140 +$14,810
#3 District of Columbia (this page) $94,330 —
#4 Alaska $93,550 −$780
#5 New York $91,990 −$2,340
#6 Massachusetts $91,990 −$2,340
See all 50 states →

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Education path for District of Columbia

The typical path is a associate degree + state license; bachelor's preferred for advancement, taking about 24 months. Tuition ranges from $9,000 (community college) to $50,000 (private accelerated). On the District of Columbia median of $94,330, payback periods are typically 0.8 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

For full credentialing detail and the realistic career outlook, see the Respiratory Therapist salary overview. To run your own numbers, use the ROI calculator with District of Columbia selected.

Respiratory Therapist salary in District of Columbia — FAQ

What is the average respiratory therapist salary in District of Columbia?
The median respiratory therapist salary in District of Columbia is $94,330 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $65,540; the top 10% earn $128,750 or more. About 405 people work in this role across the state.
How does District of Columbia respiratory therapist pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia's median of $94,330 is $16,370 above the U.S. national median of $77,960. After adjusting for District of Columbia's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 116.1), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $81,249.
Is respiratory therapist a good career in District of Columbia?
On the data: District of Columbia employs roughly 405 respiratory therapists, with a median wage of $94,330 and the top decile clearing $128,750. The role is projected to grow +13% nationally over the next decade. Whether it's "good" for you depends on whether the work suits you and whether you're positioned for the in-state metros that pay above the median.
What's the hourly rate for respiratory therapists in District of Columbia?
At the District of Columbia median of $94,330 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $45.35/hr. The top 10% earn around $61.90/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $31.51/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

District of Columbia-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 29-1126: Respiratory Therapists), with state pay indexes from BLS area-comparison tables. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 release, where District of Columbia's RPP is 116.1 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.