PayByState

Pennsylvania · BLS SOC 29-1126

Respiratory Therapist salary in Pennsylvania

Median $76,400 · Top 10% earn $94,720+ · Roughly 6,079 workers in Pennsylvania. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Pennsylvania median
$76,400
$36.73/hr
Top 10%
$94,720
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$53,080
Entry-level range
Real pay
$78,926
CoL-adjusted (RPP 96.8)

Pennsylvania pays close to the U.S. median for respiratory therapists — $76,400 versus the national median of $77,960. Real purchasing power tracks roughly the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 6,079 respiratory therapists.

What drives respiratory therapist pay in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania RT pay benefits from large academic medical center concentration (UPMC, Penn Medicine, Jefferson). ECMO and pediatric ICU credentialing adds the largest pay premium.

Pennsylvania ranks #23 of 50 states

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

Rank State Median vs. Pennsylvania
#22 Virginia $77,180 +$780
#21 Maine $77,180 +$780
#20 Arizona $77,180 +$780
#23 Pennsylvania (this page) $76,400 —
#24 Utah $75,620 −$780
#25 Texas $74,840 −$1,560
#26 Wisconsin $74,840 −$1,560
See all 50 states →

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Education path for Pennsylvania

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 Pennsylvania median of $76,400, payback periods are typically 1.1 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 Pennsylvania selected.

Respiratory Therapist salary in Pennsylvania — FAQ

What is the average respiratory therapist salary in Pennsylvania?
The median respiratory therapist salary in Pennsylvania is $76,400 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $53,080; the top 10% earn $94,720 or more. About 6,079 people work in this role across the state.
How does Pennsylvania respiratory therapist pay compare to the national average?
Pennsylvania's median of $76,400 is $1,560 below the U.S. national median of $77,960. After adjusting for Pennsylvania's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 96.8), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $78,926.
Is respiratory therapist a good career in Pennsylvania?
On the data: Pennsylvania employs roughly 6,079 respiratory therapists, with a median wage of $76,400 and the top decile clearing $94,720. 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 Pennsylvania?
At the Pennsylvania median of $76,400 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $36.73/hr. The top 10% earn around $45.54/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $25.52/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Pennsylvania-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 Pennsylvania's RPP is 96.8 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.