PayByState

Kentucky · BLS SOC 29-1126

Respiratory Therapist salary in Kentucky

Median $69,380 · Top 10% earn $82,630+ · Roughly 1,891 workers in Kentucky. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Kentucky median
$69,380
$33.36/hr
Top 10%
$82,630
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$48,210
Entry-level range
Real pay
$78,841
CoL-adjusted (RPP 88.0)

Kentucky pays modestly below the U.S. median for respiratory therapists — $69,380 versus the national median of $77,960. Kentucky's lower cost of living means the salary stretches further — real purchasing power is about $881 above the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 1,891 respiratory therapists.

What drives respiratory therapist pay in Kentucky

Kentucky 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.

Kentucky ranks #46 of 50 states

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

Rank State Median vs. Kentucky
#43 Tennessee $70,940 +$1,560
#42 Idaho $70,940 +$1,560
#41 Missouri $70,940 +$1,560
#46 Kentucky (this page) $69,380 —
#47 Louisiana $68,600 −$780
#48 Alabama $67,050 −$2,330
#49 West Virginia $67,050 −$2,330
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 Kentucky

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 Kentucky median of $69,380, 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 Kentucky selected.

Respiratory Therapist salary in Kentucky — FAQ

What is the average respiratory therapist salary in Kentucky?
The median respiratory therapist salary in Kentucky is $69,380 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $48,210; the top 10% earn $82,630 or more. About 1,891 people work in this role across the state.
How does Kentucky respiratory therapist pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky's median of $69,380 is $8,580 below the U.S. national median of $77,960. After adjusting for Kentucky's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 88.0), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $78,841.
Is respiratory therapist a good career in Kentucky?
On the data: Kentucky employs roughly 1,891 respiratory therapists, with a median wage of $69,380 and the top decile clearing $82,630. 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 Kentucky?
At the Kentucky median of $69,380 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $33.36/hr. The top 10% earn around $39.73/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $23.18/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Kentucky-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 Kentucky's RPP is 88.0 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.