PayByState

Oklahoma · BLS SOC 29-1126

Respiratory Therapist salary in Oklahoma

Median $69,380 · Top 10% earn $82,630+ · Roughly 1,621 workers in Oklahoma. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Oklahoma median
$69,380
$33.36/hr
Top 10%
$82,630
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$48,210
Entry-level range
Real pay
$78,931
CoL-adjusted (RPP 87.9)

Oklahoma pays modestly below the U.S. median for respiratory therapists — $69,380 versus the national median of $77,960. Oklahoma's lower cost of living means the salary stretches further — real purchasing power is about $971 above the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 1,621 respiratory therapists.

What drives respiratory therapist pay in Oklahoma

Oklahoma 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.

Oklahoma ranks #45 of 50 states

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

Rank State Median vs. Oklahoma
#43 Tennessee $70,940 +$1,560
#42 Idaho $70,940 +$1,560
#41 Missouri $70,940 +$1,560
#45 Oklahoma (this page) $69,380 —
#47 Louisiana $68,600 −$780
#48 Alabama $67,050 −$2,330
#49 West Virginia $67,050 −$2,330
See all 50 states →

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Education path for Oklahoma

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 Oklahoma median of $69,380, 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 Oklahoma selected.

Respiratory Therapist salary in Oklahoma — FAQ

What is the average respiratory therapist salary in Oklahoma?
The median respiratory therapist salary in Oklahoma is $69,380 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $48,210; the top 10% earn $82,630 or more. About 1,621 people work in this role across the state.
How does Oklahoma respiratory therapist pay compare to the national average?
Oklahoma's median of $69,380 is $8,580 below the U.S. national median of $77,960. After adjusting for Oklahoma's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 87.9), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $78,931.
Is respiratory therapist a good career in Oklahoma?
On the data: Oklahoma employs roughly 1,621 respiratory therapists, with a median wage of $69,380 and the top decile clearing $82,630. 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 Oklahoma?
At the Oklahoma median of $69,380 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $33.36/hr. The top 10% earn around $39.73/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $23.18/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Oklahoma-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 Oklahoma's RPP is 87.9 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.