New Jersey · BLS SOC 29-1126

Respiratory Therapist salary in New Jersey

Q: What is the average respiratory therapist salary in New Jersey?

The median respiratory therapist salary in New Jersey is $88,870 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $61,750; the top 10% earn $117,920 or more. About 3,782 people work in this role across the state.

Q: How does New Jersey respiratory therapist pay compare to the national average?

New Jersey's median of $88,870 is $10,910 above the U.S. national median of $77,960. After adjusting for New Jersey's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 113.4), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $78,369.

Median $88,870 · Top 10% earn $117,920+ · Roughly 3,782 workers in New Jersey. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

New Jersey median: $88,870; $42.73/hr
Top 10%: $117,920; 90th percentile
Bottom 10%: $61,750; Entry-level range
Real pay: $78,369; CoL-adjusted (RPP 113.4)

New Jersey pays meaningfully above the U.S. median for respiratory therapists — $88,870 versus the national median of $77,960. After adjusting for New Jersey's high cost of living, the pay edge narrows to about $409 above U.S. average buying power. The state employs roughly 3,782 respiratory therapists.

What drives respiratory therapist pay in New Jersey

New Jersey RT pay tracks above national median, driven by NYC-area hospital pricing and major teaching hospitals (Hackensack Meridian, RWJBarnabas, Cooper).

New Jersey ranks #8 of 50 states

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

Rank	State	Median	vs. New Jersey
#7	Nevada	$90,430	+$1,560
#6	Massachusetts	$91,990	+$3,120
#5	New York	$91,990	+$3,120
#8	New Jersey (this page)	$88,870	—
#10	Hawaii	$88,090	−$780
#11	Connecticut	$88,090	−$780
#12	Maryland	$85,760	−$3,110

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Education path for New Jersey

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 New Jersey median of $88,870, payback periods are typically 0.9 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 New Jersey selected.

Respiratory Therapist salary in New Jersey — FAQ

What is the average respiratory therapist salary in New Jersey?

The median respiratory therapist salary in New Jersey is $88,870 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $61,750; the top 10% earn $117,920 or more. About 3,782 people work in this role across the state.

How does New Jersey respiratory therapist pay compare to the national average?

New Jersey's median of $88,870 is $10,910 above the U.S. national median of $77,960. After adjusting for New Jersey's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 113.4), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $78,369.

Is respiratory therapist a good career in New Jersey?

On the data: New Jersey employs roughly 3,782 respiratory therapists, with a median wage of $88,870 and the top decile clearing $117,920. 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 New Jersey?

At the New Jersey median of $88,870 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $42.73/hr. The top 10% earn around $56.69/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $29.69/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

New Jersey-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 New Jersey's RPP is 113.4 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.