PayByState

Delaware · BLS SOC 29-1126

Respiratory Therapist salary in Delaware

Median $78,740 · Top 10% earn $98,900+ · Roughly 405 workers in Delaware. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Delaware median
$78,740
$37.86/hr
Top 10%
$98,900
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$54,700
Entry-level range
Real pay
$78,426
CoL-adjusted (RPP 100.4)

Delaware pays close to the U.S. median for respiratory therapists — $78,740 versus the national median of $77,960. Real purchasing power tracks roughly the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 405 respiratory therapists.

What drives respiratory therapist pay in Delaware

Delaware pays close to the U.S. median for respiratory therapists. The state's pay landscape reflects typical national patterns — hospital and academic medical center roles paying above private practice, specialty credentials adding meaningful premiums, and metropolitan areas paying above rural ones.

Delaware ranks #19 of 50 states

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

Rank State Median vs. Delaware
#18 Illinois $80,300 +$1,560
#17 Vermont $80,300 +$1,560
#16 New Hampshire $81,860 +$3,120
#19 Delaware (this page) $78,740 —
#20 Arizona $77,180 −$1,560
#21 Maine $77,180 −$1,560
#22 Virginia $77,180 −$1,560
See all 50 states →

Find Respiratory Therapist programs near you

We surface accredited programs by state — community college, online, and accelerated. Compare tuition, length, and start dates.

Compare programs

Sponsored. We may earn a commission if you enroll. Prices and availability vary by school and state.

Education path for Delaware

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 Delaware median of $78,740, payback periods are typically 1.1 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 Delaware selected.

Respiratory Therapist salary in Delaware — FAQ

What is the average respiratory therapist salary in Delaware?
The median respiratory therapist salary in Delaware is $78,740 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $54,700; the top 10% earn $98,900 or more. About 405 people work in this role across the state.
How does Delaware respiratory therapist pay compare to the national average?
Delaware's median of $78,740 is $780 above the U.S. national median of $77,960. After adjusting for Delaware's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 100.4), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $78,426.
Is respiratory therapist a good career in Delaware?
On the data: Delaware employs roughly 405 respiratory therapists, with a median wage of $78,740 and the top decile clearing $98,900. 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 Delaware?
At the Delaware median of $78,740 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $37.86/hr. The top 10% earn around $47.55/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $26.30/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Delaware-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 Delaware's RPP is 100.4 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.