PayByState

West Virginia · BLS SOC 29-1126

Respiratory Therapist salary in West Virginia

Median $67,050 · Top 10% earn $78,750+ · Roughly 946 workers in West Virginia. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

West Virginia median
$67,050
$32.24/hr
Top 10%
$78,750
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$46,580
Entry-level range
Real pay
$79,443
CoL-adjusted (RPP 84.4)

West Virginia pays meaningfully below the U.S. median for respiratory therapists — $67,050 versus the national median of $77,960. West Virginia's lower cost of living means the salary stretches further — real purchasing power is about $1,483 above the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 946 respiratory therapists.

What drives respiratory therapist pay in West Virginia

West Virginia sits in the bottom quartile of U.S. respiratory therapist pay. Lower nominal wages typically reflect rural-area service delivery, smaller hospital systems, and less-dense union or specialty employer presence — partially offset by a lower cost of living.

West Virginia ranks #49 of 50 states

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

Rank State Median vs. West Virginia
#47 Louisiana $68,600 +$1,550
#46 Kentucky $69,380 +$2,330
#45 Oklahoma $69,380 +$2,330
#49 West Virginia (this page) $67,050 —
#50 Arkansas $66,270 −$780
#51 Mississippi $65,490 −$1,560
See all 50 states →

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Education path for West 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 West Virginia median of $67,050, payback periods are typically 1.4 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 West Virginia selected.

Respiratory Therapist salary in West Virginia — FAQ

What is the average respiratory therapist salary in West Virginia?
The median respiratory therapist salary in West Virginia is $67,050 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $46,580; the top 10% earn $78,750 or more. About 946 people work in this role across the state.
How does West Virginia respiratory therapist pay compare to the national average?
West Virginia's median of $67,050 is $10,910 below the U.S. national median of $77,960. After adjusting for West Virginia's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 84.4), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $79,443.
Is respiratory therapist a good career in West Virginia?
On the data: West Virginia employs roughly 946 respiratory therapists, with a median wage of $67,050 and the top decile clearing $78,750. 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 West Virginia?
At the West Virginia median of $67,050 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $32.24/hr. The top 10% earn around $37.86/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $22.39/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

West 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 West Virginia's RPP is 84.4 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.