PayByState

Virginia · BLS SOC 29-1126

Respiratory Therapist salary in Virginia

Median $77,180 · Top 10% earn $96,110+ · Roughly 3,512 workers in Virginia. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Virginia median
$77,180
$37.11/hr
Top 10%
$96,110
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$53,620
Entry-level range
Real pay
$75,667
CoL-adjusted (RPP 102.0)

Virginia pays close to the U.S. median for respiratory therapists — $77,180 versus the national median of $77,960. Real purchasing power tracks roughly the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 3,512 respiratory therapists.

What drives respiratory therapist pay in Virginia

Virginia 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.

Virginia ranks #22 of 50 states

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

Rank State Median vs. Virginia
#19 Delaware $78,740 +$1,560
#18 Illinois $80,300 +$3,120
#17 Vermont $80,300 +$3,120
#22 Virginia (this page) $77,180 —
#23 Pennsylvania $76,400 −$780
#24 Utah $75,620 −$1,560
#25 Texas $74,840 −$2,340
See all 50 states →

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Education path for Virginia

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 Virginia median of $77,180, 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 Virginia selected.

Respiratory Therapist salary in Virginia — FAQ

What is the average respiratory therapist salary in Virginia?
The median respiratory therapist salary in Virginia is $77,180 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $53,620; the top 10% earn $96,110 or more. About 3,512 people work in this role across the state.
How does Virginia respiratory therapist pay compare to the national average?
Virginia's median of $77,180 is $780 below the U.S. national median of $77,960. After adjusting for Virginia's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 102.0), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $75,667.
Is respiratory therapist a good career in Virginia?
On the data: Virginia employs roughly 3,512 respiratory therapists, with a median wage of $77,180 and the top decile clearing $96,110. 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 Virginia?
At the Virginia median of $77,180 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $37.11/hr. The top 10% earn around $46.21/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $25.78/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Virginia-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 Virginia's RPP is 102.0 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.