PayByState

Michigan · BLS SOC 29-1126

Respiratory Therapist salary in Michigan

Median $74,060 · Top 10% earn $90,610+ · Roughly 4,187 workers in Michigan. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Michigan median
$74,060
$35.61/hr
Top 10%
$90,610
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$51,460
Entry-level range
Real pay
$79,806
CoL-adjusted (RPP 92.8)

Michigan pays modestly below the U.S. median for respiratory therapists — $74,060 versus the national median of $77,960. Real purchasing power tracks roughly the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 4,187 respiratory therapists.

What drives respiratory therapist pay in Michigan

Michigan RT pay tracks national median, with Henry Ford and University of Michigan Health driving above-median pay in metro Detroit and Ann Arbor.

Michigan ranks #27 of 50 states

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

Rank State Median vs. Michigan
#26 Wisconsin $74,840 +$780
#25 Texas $74,840 +$780
#24 Utah $75,620 +$1,560
#27 Michigan (this page) $74,060 —
#31 Florida $73,280 −$780
#32 New Mexico $73,280 −$780
#33 Ohio $73,280 −$780
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 Michigan

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 Michigan median of $74,060, payback periods are typically 1.2 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 Michigan selected.

Respiratory Therapist salary in Michigan — FAQ

What is the average respiratory therapist salary in Michigan?
The median respiratory therapist salary in Michigan is $74,060 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $51,460; the top 10% earn $90,610 or more. About 4,187 people work in this role across the state.
How does Michigan respiratory therapist pay compare to the national average?
Michigan's median of $74,060 is $3,900 below the U.S. national median of $77,960. After adjusting for Michigan's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 92.8), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $79,806.
Is respiratory therapist a good career in Michigan?
On the data: Michigan employs roughly 4,187 respiratory therapists, with a median wage of $74,060 and the top decile clearing $90,610. 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 Michigan?
At the Michigan median of $74,060 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $35.61/hr. The top 10% earn around $43.56/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $24.74/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Michigan-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 Michigan's RPP is 92.8 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.