PayByState

South Carolina · BLS SOC 29-1126

Respiratory Therapist salary in South Carolina

Median $70,940 · Top 10% earn $85,250+ · Roughly 2,026 workers in South Carolina. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

South Carolina median
$70,940
$34.11/hr
Top 10%
$85,250
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$49,290
Entry-level range
Real pay
$77,530
CoL-adjusted (RPP 91.5)

South Carolina pays modestly below the U.S. median for respiratory therapists — $70,940 versus the national median of $77,960. South Carolina's lower cost of living partially offsets the lower nominal pay, but real purchasing power is still below national average. The state employs roughly 2,026 respiratory therapists.

What drives respiratory therapist pay in South Carolina

South Carolina 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.

South Carolina ranks #37 of 50 states

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

Rank State Median vs. South Carolina
#36 Georgia $71,720 +$780
#35 Nebraska $72,500 +$1,560
#34 North Carolina $72,500 +$1,560
#37 South Carolina (this page) $70,940 —
#44 South Dakota $69,380 −$1,560
#45 Oklahoma $69,380 −$1,560
#46 Kentucky $69,380 −$1,560
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Education path for South Carolina

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 South Carolina median of $70,940, 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 South Carolina selected.

Respiratory Therapist salary in South Carolina — FAQ

What is the average respiratory therapist salary in South Carolina?
The median respiratory therapist salary in South Carolina is $70,940 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $49,290; the top 10% earn $85,250 or more. About 2,026 people work in this role across the state.
How does South Carolina respiratory therapist pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina's median of $70,940 is $7,020 below the U.S. national median of $77,960. After adjusting for South Carolina's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 91.5), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $77,530.
Is respiratory therapist a good career in South Carolina?
On the data: South Carolina employs roughly 2,026 respiratory therapists, with a median wage of $70,940 and the top decile clearing $85,250. 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 South Carolina?
At the South Carolina median of $70,940 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $34.11/hr. The top 10% earn around $40.99/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $23.70/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

South Carolina-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 South Carolina's RPP is 91.5 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.