PayByState

Louisiana · BLS SOC 29-1126

Respiratory Therapist salary in Louisiana

Median $68,600 · Top 10% earn $81,320+ · Roughly 1,891 workers in Louisiana. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Louisiana median
$68,600
$32.98/hr
Top 10%
$81,320
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$47,660
Entry-level range
Real pay
$75,885
CoL-adjusted (RPP 90.4)

Louisiana pays meaningfully below the U.S. median for respiratory therapists — $68,600 versus the national median of $77,960. Louisiana's lower cost of living partially offsets the lower nominal pay, but real purchasing power is still below national average. The state employs roughly 1,891 respiratory therapists.

What drives respiratory therapist pay in Louisiana

Louisiana sits in the bottom quartile of U.S. respiratory therapist pay. Lower nominal wages typically reflect rural-area service delivery, smaller hospital systems, and less-dense union or specialty employer presence — partially offset by a lower cost of living.

Louisiana ranks #47 of 50 states

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

Rank State Median vs. Louisiana
#46 Kentucky $69,380 +$780
#45 Oklahoma $69,380 +$780
#44 South Dakota $69,380 +$780
#47 Louisiana (this page) $68,600 —
#48 Alabama $67,050 −$1,550
#49 West Virginia $67,050 −$1,550
#50 Arkansas $66,270 −$2,330
See all 50 states →

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Education path for Louisiana

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 Louisiana median of $68,600, payback periods are typically 1.4 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 Louisiana selected.

Respiratory Therapist salary in Louisiana — FAQ

What is the average respiratory therapist salary in Louisiana?
The median respiratory therapist salary in Louisiana is $68,600 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $47,660; the top 10% earn $81,320 or more. About 1,891 people work in this role across the state.
How does Louisiana respiratory therapist pay compare to the national average?
Louisiana's median of $68,600 is $9,360 below the U.S. national median of $77,960. After adjusting for Louisiana's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 90.4), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $75,885.
Is respiratory therapist a good career in Louisiana?
On the data: Louisiana employs roughly 1,891 respiratory therapists, with a median wage of $68,600 and the top decile clearing $81,320. 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 Louisiana?
At the Louisiana median of $68,600 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $32.98/hr. The top 10% earn around $39.10/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $22.91/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Louisiana-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 Louisiana's RPP is 90.4 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.