PayByState

Washington · BLS SOC 29-1126

Respiratory Therapist salary in Washington

Median $95,110 · Top 10% earn $130,330+ · Roughly 2,972 workers in Washington. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Washington median
$95,110
$45.73/hr
Top 10%
$130,330
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$66,080
Entry-level range
Real pay
$86,621
CoL-adjusted (RPP 109.8)

Washington pays meaningfully above the U.S. median for respiratory therapists — $95,110 versus the national median of $77,960. Real purchasing power is $8,661 above the U.S. average — a clean win. The state employs roughly 2,972 respiratory therapists.

What drives respiratory therapist pay in Washington

Washington RT pay tracks above national median, driven by union density at UW Medicine, Swedish, Virginia Mason, and Providence. ECMO certification adds $5–15K/year.

Top-paying metros in Washington

Washington-area metropolitan areas with the highest respiratory therapist medians.

Washington metros

10 highest-paying metropolitan areas. Source: BLS OEWS metro tables, May 2024.

Rank Metro Median
1 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $92,800

Washington ranks #2 of 50 states

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

Rank State Median vs. Washington
#1 California $109,140 +$14,030
#2 Washington (this page) $95,110 —
#3 District of Columbia $94,330 −$780
#4 Alaska $93,550 −$1,560
#5 New York $91,990 −$3,120
See all 50 states →

Find Respiratory Therapist programs near you

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Education path for Washington

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 Washington median of $95,110, payback periods are typically 0.8 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 Washington selected.

Respiratory Therapist salary in Washington — FAQ

What is the average respiratory therapist salary in Washington?
The median respiratory therapist salary in Washington is $95,110 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $66,080; the top 10% earn $130,330 or more. About 2,972 people work in this role across the state.
How does Washington respiratory therapist pay compare to the national average?
Washington's median of $95,110 is $17,150 above the U.S. national median of $77,960. After adjusting for Washington's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 109.8), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $86,621.
Where does Washington pay respiratory therapists the most?
Top-paying metros in Washington include Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue at $92,800. These metros consistently pay 10–25% above the state median due to higher concentration of large hospital systems and specialty employers.
Is respiratory therapist a good career in Washington?
On the data: Washington employs roughly 2,972 respiratory therapists, with a median wage of $95,110 and the top decile clearing $130,330. 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 Washington?
At the Washington median of $95,110 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $45.73/hr. The top 10% earn around $62.66/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $31.77/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Washington-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 Washington's RPP is 109.8 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.