North Carolina · BLS SOC 29-1126

Respiratory Therapist salary in North Carolina

Q: How does North Carolina respiratory therapist pay compare to the national average?

North Carolina's median of $72,500 is $5,460 below the U.S. national median of $77,960. After adjusting for North Carolina's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 92.7), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $78,209.

Median $72,500 · Top 10% earn $87,920+ · Roughly 4,323 workers in North Carolina. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

North Carolina median: $72,500; $34.86/hr
Top 10%: $87,920; 90th percentile
Bottom 10%: $50,370; Entry-level range
Real pay: $78,209; CoL-adjusted (RPP 92.7)

North Carolina pays modestly below the U.S. median for respiratory therapists — $72,500 versus the national median of $77,960. Real purchasing power tracks roughly the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 4,323 respiratory therapists.

What drives respiratory therapist pay in North Carolina

North Carolina RT pay is moderate. Duke and UNC Health drive above-median pay. ECMO credentialing at Duke is well-regarded.

North Carolina ranks #34 of 50 states

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

Rank	State	Median	vs. North Carolina
#33	Ohio	$73,280	+$780
#32	New Mexico	$73,280	+$780
#31	Florida	$73,280	+$780
#34	North Carolina (this page)	$72,500	—
#36	Georgia	$71,720	−$780
#37	South Carolina	$70,940	−$1,560
#38	Indiana	$70,940	−$1,560

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Education path for North Carolina

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 North Carolina median of $72,500, 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 North Carolina selected.

Respiratory Therapist salary in North Carolina — FAQ

What is the average respiratory therapist salary in North Carolina?

The median respiratory therapist salary in North Carolina is $72,500 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $50,370; the top 10% earn $87,920 or more. About 4,323 people work in this role across the state.

How does North Carolina respiratory therapist pay compare to the national average?

North Carolina's median of $72,500 is $5,460 below the U.S. national median of $77,960. After adjusting for North Carolina's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 92.7), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $78,209.

Is respiratory therapist a good career in North Carolina?

On the data: North Carolina employs roughly 4,323 respiratory therapists, with a median wage of $72,500 and the top decile clearing $87,920. 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 North Carolina?

At the North Carolina median of $72,500 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $34.86/hr. The top 10% earn around $42.27/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $24.22/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

North Carolina-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 North Carolina's RPP is 92.7 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.