PayByState

Missouri · BLS SOC 29-1126

Respiratory Therapist salary in Missouri

Median $70,940 · Top 10% earn $85,250+ · Roughly 2,702 workers in Missouri. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Missouri median
$70,940
$34.11/hr
Top 10%
$85,250
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$49,290
Entry-level range
Real pay
$79,887
CoL-adjusted (RPP 88.8)

Missouri pays modestly below the U.S. median for respiratory therapists — $70,940 versus the national median of $77,960. Missouri's lower cost of living means the salary stretches further — real purchasing power is about $1,927 above the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 2,702 respiratory therapists.

What drives respiratory therapist pay in Missouri

Missouri 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.

Missouri ranks #41 of 50 states

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

Rank State Median vs. Missouri
#36 Georgia $71,720 +$780
#35 Nebraska $72,500 +$1,560
#34 North Carolina $72,500 +$1,560
#41 Missouri (this page) $70,940 —
#44 South Dakota $69,380 −$1,560
#45 Oklahoma $69,380 −$1,560
#46 Kentucky $69,380 −$1,560
See all 50 states →

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Education path for Missouri

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 Missouri median of $70,940, payback periods are typically 1.3 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 Missouri selected.

Respiratory Therapist salary in Missouri — FAQ

What is the average respiratory therapist salary in Missouri?
The median respiratory therapist salary in Missouri is $70,940 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $49,290; the top 10% earn $85,250 or more. About 2,702 people work in this role across the state.
How does Missouri respiratory therapist pay compare to the national average?
Missouri's median of $70,940 is $7,020 below the U.S. national median of $77,960. After adjusting for Missouri's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 88.8), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $79,887.
Is respiratory therapist a good career in Missouri?
On the data: Missouri employs roughly 2,702 respiratory therapists, with a median wage of $70,940 and the top decile clearing $85,250. 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 Missouri?
At the Missouri median of $70,940 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $34.11/hr. The top 10% earn around $40.99/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $23.70/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Missouri-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 Missouri's RPP is 88.8 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.