PayByState

Iowa · BLS SOC 29-1126

Respiratory Therapist salary in Iowa

Median $70,940 · Top 10% earn $85,250+ · Roughly 1,351 workers in Iowa. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Iowa median
$70,940
$34.11/hr
Top 10%
$85,250
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$49,290
Entry-level range
Real pay
$79,440
CoL-adjusted (RPP 89.3)

Iowa pays modestly below the U.S. median for respiratory therapists — $70,940 versus the national median of $77,960. Iowa's lower cost of living means the salary stretches further — real purchasing power is about $1,480 above the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 1,351 respiratory therapists.

What drives respiratory therapist pay in Iowa

Iowa 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.

Iowa ranks #39 of 50 states

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

Rank State Median vs. Iowa
#36 Georgia $71,720 +$780
#35 Nebraska $72,500 +$1,560
#34 North Carolina $72,500 +$1,560
#39 Iowa (this page) $70,940 —
#44 South Dakota $69,380 −$1,560
#45 Oklahoma $69,380 −$1,560
#46 Kentucky $69,380 −$1,560
See all 50 states →

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Education path for Iowa

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 Iowa median of $70,940, payback periods are typically 1.3 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 Iowa selected.

Respiratory Therapist salary in Iowa — FAQ

What is the average respiratory therapist salary in Iowa?
The median respiratory therapist salary in Iowa is $70,940 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $49,290; the top 10% earn $85,250 or more. About 1,351 people work in this role across the state.
How does Iowa respiratory therapist pay compare to the national average?
Iowa's median of $70,940 is $7,020 below the U.S. national median of $77,960. After adjusting for Iowa's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 89.3), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $79,440.
Is respiratory therapist a good career in Iowa?
On the data: Iowa employs roughly 1,351 respiratory therapists, with a median wage of $70,940 and the top decile clearing $85,250. 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 Iowa?
At the Iowa median of $70,940 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $34.11/hr. The top 10% earn around $40.99/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $23.70/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Iowa-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 Iowa's RPP is 89.3 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.