PayByState

Hawaii · BLS SOC 29-1126

Respiratory Therapist salary in Hawaii

Median $88,090 · Top 10% earn $116,400+ · Roughly 675 workers in Hawaii. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Hawaii median
$88,090
$42.35/hr
Top 10%
$116,400
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$61,200
Entry-level range
Real pay
$77,818
CoL-adjusted (RPP 113.2)

Hawaii pays meaningfully above the U.S. median for respiratory therapists — $88,090 versus the national median of $77,960. After adjusting for Hawaii's high cost of living, real purchasing power is actually below the U.S. average — the headline number is misleading. The state employs roughly 675 respiratory therapists.

What drives respiratory therapist pay in Hawaii

Hawaii 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.

Hawaii ranks #10 of 50 states

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

Rank State Median vs. Hawaii
#9 Oregon $88,870 +$780
#8 New Jersey $88,870 +$780
#7 Nevada $90,430 +$2,340
#10 Hawaii (this page) $88,090 —
#12 Maryland $85,760 −$2,330
#13 Minnesota $83,420 −$4,670
#14 Colorado $82,640 −$5,450
See all 50 states →

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Education path for Hawaii

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 Hawaii median of $88,090, payback periods are typically 0.9 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 Hawaii selected.

Respiratory Therapist salary in Hawaii — FAQ

What is the average respiratory therapist salary in Hawaii?
The median respiratory therapist salary in Hawaii is $88,090 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $61,200; the top 10% earn $116,400 or more. About 675 people work in this role across the state.
How does Hawaii respiratory therapist pay compare to the national average?
Hawaii's median of $88,090 is $10,130 above the U.S. national median of $77,960. After adjusting for Hawaii's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 113.2), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $77,818.
Is respiratory therapist a good career in Hawaii?
On the data: Hawaii employs roughly 675 respiratory therapists, with a median wage of $88,090 and the top decile clearing $116,400. 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 Hawaii?
At the Hawaii median of $88,090 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $42.35/hr. The top 10% earn around $55.96/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $29.42/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Hawaii-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 Hawaii's RPP is 113.2 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.