PayByState

Massachusetts · BLS SOC 29-1126

Respiratory Therapist salary in Massachusetts

Median $91,990 · Top 10% earn $124,060+ · Roughly 3,377 workers in Massachusetts. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Massachusetts median
$91,990
$44.23/hr
Top 10%
$124,060
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$63,910
Entry-level range
Real pay
$83,174
CoL-adjusted (RPP 110.6)

Massachusetts pays meaningfully above the U.S. median for respiratory therapists — $91,990 versus the national median of $77,960. Even after adjusting for Massachusetts's high cost of living, the real pay still leads the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 3,377 respiratory therapists.

What drives respiratory therapist pay in Massachusetts

Massachusetts sits in the top quartile of U.S. respiratory therapist pay. The structural drivers are typical of high-pay states for this occupation: strong hospital system concentration, limited credential supply, or regulatory frameworks that compress labor availability.

Top-paying metros in Massachusetts

Massachusetts-area metropolitan areas with the highest respiratory therapist medians.

Massachusetts metros

10 highest-paying metropolitan areas. Source: BLS OEWS metro tables, May 2024.

Rank Metro Median
1 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $90,100

Massachusetts ranks #6 of 50 states

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

Rank State Median vs. Massachusetts
#4 Alaska $93,550 +$1,560
#3 District of Columbia $94,330 +$2,340
#2 Washington $95,110 +$3,120
#6 Massachusetts (this page) $91,990 —
#7 Nevada $90,430 −$1,560
#8 New Jersey $88,870 −$3,120
#9 Oregon $88,870 −$3,120
See all 50 states →

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Education path for Massachusetts

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 Massachusetts median of $91,990, payback periods are typically 0.8 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 Massachusetts selected.

Respiratory Therapist salary in Massachusetts — FAQ

What is the average respiratory therapist salary in Massachusetts?
The median respiratory therapist salary in Massachusetts is $91,990 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $63,910; the top 10% earn $124,060 or more. About 3,377 people work in this role across the state.
How does Massachusetts respiratory therapist pay compare to the national average?
Massachusetts's median of $91,990 is $14,030 above the U.S. national median of $77,960. After adjusting for Massachusetts's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 110.6), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $83,174.
Where does Massachusetts pay respiratory therapists the most?
Top-paying metros in Massachusetts include Boston-Cambridge-Newton at $90,100. These metros consistently pay 10–25% above the state median due to higher concentration of large hospital systems and specialty employers.
Is respiratory therapist a good career in Massachusetts?
On the data: Massachusetts employs roughly 3,377 respiratory therapists, with a median wage of $91,990 and the top decile clearing $124,060. 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 Massachusetts?
At the Massachusetts median of $91,990 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $44.23/hr. The top 10% earn around $59.64/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $30.73/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Massachusetts-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 Massachusetts's RPP is 110.6 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.