PayByState

Nebraska · BLS SOC 29-1126

Respiratory Therapist salary in Nebraska

Median $72,500 · Top 10% earn $87,920+ · Roughly 946 workers in Nebraska. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Nebraska median
$72,500
$34.86/hr
Top 10%
$87,920
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$50,370
Entry-level range
Real pay
$79,934
CoL-adjusted (RPP 90.7)

Nebraska pays modestly below the U.S. median for respiratory therapists — $72,500 versus the national median of $77,960. Nebraska's lower cost of living means the salary stretches further — real purchasing power is about $1,974 above the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 946 respiratory therapists.

What drives respiratory therapist pay in Nebraska

Nebraska 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.

Nebraska ranks #35 of 50 states

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

Rank State Median vs. Nebraska
#33 Ohio $73,280 +$780
#32 New Mexico $73,280 +$780
#31 Florida $73,280 +$780
#35 Nebraska (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 Nebraska

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 Nebraska 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 Nebraska selected.

Respiratory Therapist salary in Nebraska — FAQ

What is the average respiratory therapist salary in Nebraska?
The median respiratory therapist salary in Nebraska 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 946 people work in this role across the state.
How does Nebraska respiratory therapist pay compare to the national average?
Nebraska's median of $72,500 is $5,460 below the U.S. national median of $77,960. After adjusting for Nebraska's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 90.7), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $79,934.
Is respiratory therapist a good career in Nebraska?
On the data: Nebraska employs roughly 946 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 Nebraska?
At the Nebraska 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

Nebraska-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 Nebraska's RPP is 90.7 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.