PayByState

North Dakota · BLS SOC 29-1126

Respiratory Therapist salary in North Dakota

Median $74,060 · Top 10% earn $90,610+ · Roughly 405 workers in North Dakota. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

North Dakota median
$74,060
$35.61/hr
Top 10%
$90,610
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$51,460
Entry-level range
Real pay
$80,065
CoL-adjusted (RPP 92.5)

North Dakota 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 405 respiratory therapists.

What drives respiratory therapist pay in North Dakota

North Dakota 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.

North Dakota ranks #29 of 50 states

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

Rank State Median vs. North Dakota
#26 Wisconsin $74,840 +$780
#25 Texas $74,840 +$780
#24 Utah $75,620 +$1,560
#29 North Dakota (this page) $74,060 —
#31 Florida $73,280 −$780
#32 New Mexico $73,280 −$780
#33 Ohio $73,280 −$780
See all 50 states →

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Education path for North Dakota

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 Dakota 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 North Dakota selected.

Respiratory Therapist salary in North Dakota — FAQ

What is the average respiratory therapist salary in North Dakota?
The median respiratory therapist salary in North Dakota 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 405 people work in this role across the state.
How does North Dakota respiratory therapist pay compare to the national average?
North Dakota's median of $74,060 is $3,900 below the U.S. national median of $77,960. After adjusting for North Dakota's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 92.5), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $80,065.
Is respiratory therapist a good career in North Dakota?
On the data: North Dakota employs roughly 405 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 North Dakota?
At the North Dakota 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

North Dakota-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 Dakota's RPP is 92.5 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.