PayByState

Minnesota · BLS SOC 29-1126

Respiratory Therapist salary in Minnesota

Median $83,420 · Top 10% earn $107,500+ · Roughly 2,431 workers in Minnesota. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Minnesota median
$83,420
$40.11/hr
Top 10%
$107,500
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$57,950
Entry-level range
Real pay
$86,356
CoL-adjusted (RPP 96.6)

Minnesota pays modestly above the U.S. median for respiratory therapists — $83,420 versus the national median of $77,960. Real purchasing power is $8,396 above the U.S. average — a clean win. The state employs roughly 2,431 respiratory therapists.

What drives respiratory therapist pay in Minnesota

Minnesota 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.

Minnesota ranks #13 of 50 states

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

Rank State Median vs. Minnesota
#12 Maryland $85,760 +$2,340
#11 Connecticut $88,090 +$4,670
#10 Hawaii $88,090 +$4,670
#13 Minnesota (this page) $83,420 —
#14 Colorado $82,640 −$780
#15 Rhode Island $81,860 −$1,560
#16 New Hampshire $81,860 −$1,560
See all 50 states →

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Education path for Minnesota

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 Minnesota median of $83,420, payback periods are typically 1 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 Minnesota selected.

Respiratory Therapist salary in Minnesota — FAQ

What is the average respiratory therapist salary in Minnesota?
The median respiratory therapist salary in Minnesota is $83,420 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $57,950; the top 10% earn $107,500 or more. About 2,431 people work in this role across the state.
How does Minnesota respiratory therapist pay compare to the national average?
Minnesota's median of $83,420 is $5,460 above the U.S. national median of $77,960. After adjusting for Minnesota's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 96.6), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $86,356.
Is respiratory therapist a good career in Minnesota?
On the data: Minnesota employs roughly 2,431 respiratory therapists, with a median wage of $83,420 and the top decile clearing $107,500. 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 Minnesota?
At the Minnesota median of $83,420 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $40.11/hr. The top 10% earn around $51.68/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $27.86/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Minnesota-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 Minnesota's RPP is 96.6 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.