PayByState

Texas · BLS SOC 29-1126

Respiratory Therapist salary in Texas

Median $74,840 · Top 10% earn $91,970+ · Roughly 11,347 workers in Texas. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Texas median
$74,840
$35.98/hr
Top 10%
$91,970
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$52,000
Entry-level range
Real pay
$77,234
CoL-adjusted (RPP 96.9)

Texas pays close to the U.S. median for respiratory therapists — $74,840 versus the national median of $77,960. Real purchasing power tracks roughly the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 11,347 respiratory therapists.

What drives respiratory therapist pay in Texas

Texas RT pay is moderate, with major academic medical centers (Houston Methodist, MD Anderson, UT Southwestern) paying 10–15% above the state median. Specialty cardiopulmonary and ECMO certifications add meaningful premiums.

Texas ranks #25 of 50 states

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

Rank State Median vs. Texas
#24 Utah $75,620 +$780
#23 Pennsylvania $76,400 +$1,560
#22 Virginia $77,180 +$2,340
#25 Texas (this page) $74,840 —
#27 Michigan $74,060 −$780
#28 Montana $74,060 −$780
#29 North Dakota $74,060 −$780
See all 50 states →

Find Respiratory Therapist programs near you

We surface accredited programs by state — community college, online, and accelerated. Compare tuition, length, and start dates.

Compare programs

Sponsored. We may earn a commission if you enroll. Prices and availability vary by school and state.

Education path for Texas

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 Texas median of $74,840, 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 Texas selected.

Respiratory Therapist salary in Texas — FAQ

What is the average respiratory therapist salary in Texas?
The median respiratory therapist salary in Texas is $74,840 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $52,000; the top 10% earn $91,970 or more. About 11,347 people work in this role across the state.
How does Texas respiratory therapist pay compare to the national average?
Texas's median of $74,840 is $3,120 below the U.S. national median of $77,960. After adjusting for Texas's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 96.9), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $77,234.
Is respiratory therapist a good career in Texas?
On the data: Texas employs roughly 11,347 respiratory therapists, with a median wage of $74,840 and the top decile clearing $91,970. 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 Texas?
At the Texas median of $74,840 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $35.98/hr. The top 10% earn around $44.22/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $25.00/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Texas-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 Texas's RPP is 96.9 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.