Respiratory Therapists pay range in Modesto
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $83,010 a year or less, while the top 10% make $134,280 or more. The middle half of respiratory therapists in Modesto earn between $96,640 and $125,080.
- $83K10th
- $97K25th
- $104KMedian
- $125K75th
- $134K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $107,680 | $8,973 | $51.77 |
| Median | $103,870 | $8,656 | $49.94 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $96,640 | $8,053 | $46.46 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $125,080 | $10,423 | $60.13 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Respiratory Therapists pay in Modesto vs. California and the U.S.
Respiratory therapists in Modesto earn about the same as the California average ($109,440) and 23% more than the U.S. average ($87,300). At the median the gap is +26% against the U.S. median of $82,280.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modesto | $107,680 | $103,870 | $83,010 | $134,280 | 270 |
| California | $109,440 | $104,820 | $77,010 | $145,510 | 18,650 |
| United States | $87,300 | $82,280 | $63,660 | $118,050 | 139,790 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Respiratory Therapists salary after taxes in Modesto
On the average salary of $107,680, a single filer in Modesto takes home about $78,661 a year, or $6,555 a month and $3,025 every two weeks. Taxes take 27% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Is Modesto a good place for respiratory therapists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Modesto area are 4% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 104.1), so the average $107,680 buys what about $103,431 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.1 times the median wage of all jobs in Modesto ($50,610). A typical home costs $468,302, or 4.3 years of this average salary before tax.
Respiratory Therapists salary in other California cities
Modesto ranks 12th of 20 California metro areas for this job; San Jose pays the most ($146,490).
- San Jose$146,490
- Santa Cruz$133,510
- Vallejo$133,510
- San Francisco$128,490
- Sacramento$124,410
- Santa Rosa$120,450
- Napa$115,620
- Stockton$109,200
- Santa Maria$109,100
- Modesto$107,680
Highest-paying cities for respiratory therapists
San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($146,490).
- San Jose, CA$146,490
- Santa Cruz, CA$133,510
- Vallejo, CA$133,510
- San Francisco, CA$128,490
- Sacramento, CA$124,410
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Respiratory Therapists salary in Modesto: questions
How much do respiratory therapists make an hour in Modesto?
$51.77 an hour on average, and $49.94 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level respiratory therapists salary in Modesto?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $83,010 a year and the 25th percentile is $96,640, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the respiratory therapists take-home pay in Modesto?
About $78,661 a year ($6,555 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $107,680. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Do respiratory therapists earn more in Modesto than elsewhere?
The average here is 23% more than the U.S. average for this job ($87,300).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 29-1126; area Modesto, CA (33700). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.2%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.54, this job is 1.5 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.