PayByState

Maryland · BLS SOC 29-1126

Respiratory Therapist salary in Maryland

Median $85,760 · Top 10% earn $111,910+ · Roughly 2,702 workers in Maryland. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Maryland median
$85,760
$41.23/hr
Top 10%
$111,910
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$59,580
Entry-level range
Real pay
$78,535
CoL-adjusted (RPP 109.2)

Maryland pays modestly above the U.S. median for respiratory therapists — $85,760 versus the national median of $77,960. Real purchasing power tracks roughly the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 2,702 respiratory therapists.

What drives respiratory therapist pay in Maryland

Maryland 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.

Maryland ranks #12 of 50 states

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

Rank State Median vs. Maryland
#11 Connecticut $88,090 +$2,330
#10 Hawaii $88,090 +$2,330
#9 Oregon $88,870 +$3,110
#12 Maryland (this page) $85,760 —
#13 Minnesota $83,420 −$2,340
#14 Colorado $82,640 −$3,120
#15 Rhode Island $81,860 −$3,900
See all 50 states →

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Education path for Maryland

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 Maryland median of $85,760, 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 Maryland selected.

Respiratory Therapist salary in Maryland — FAQ

What is the average respiratory therapist salary in Maryland?
The median respiratory therapist salary in Maryland is $85,760 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $59,580; the top 10% earn $111,910 or more. About 2,702 people work in this role across the state.
How does Maryland respiratory therapist pay compare to the national average?
Maryland's median of $85,760 is $7,800 above the U.S. national median of $77,960. After adjusting for Maryland's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 109.2), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $78,535.
Is respiratory therapist a good career in Maryland?
On the data: Maryland employs roughly 2,702 respiratory therapists, with a median wage of $85,760 and the top decile clearing $111,910. 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 Maryland?
At the Maryland median of $85,760 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $41.23/hr. The top 10% earn around $53.80/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $28.64/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Maryland-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 Maryland's RPP is 109.2 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.