Respiratory Therapists pay range in Pittsburgh
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $62,030 a year or less, while the top 10% make $88,750 or more. The middle half of respiratory therapists in Pittsburgh earn between $64,270 and $79,910.
- $62K10th
- $64K25th
- $75KMedian
- $80K75th
- $89K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $72,820 | $6,068 | $35.01 |
| Median | $75,470 | $6,289 | $36.28 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $64,270 | $5,356 | $30.90 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $79,910 | $6,659 | $38.42 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Respiratory Therapists pay in Pittsburgh vs. Pennsylvania and the U.S.
Respiratory therapists in Pittsburgh earn 7% less than the Pennsylvania average ($78,180) and 17% less than the U.S. average ($87,300). At the median the gap is -8% against the U.S. median of $82,280.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh | $72,820 | $75,470 | $62,030 | $88,750 | 1,220 |
| Pennsylvania | $78,180 | $78,490 | $62,440 | $95,520 | 6,530 |
| 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 Pittsburgh
On the average salary of $72,820, a single filer in Pittsburgh takes home about $57,823 a year, or $4,819 a month and $2,224 every two weeks. Taxes take 21% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
Is Pittsburgh a good place for respiratory therapists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Pittsburgh area are 5% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 94.7), so the average $72,820 buys what about $76,919 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.5 times the median wage of all jobs in Pittsburgh ($49,650). A typical home costs $231,356, or 3.2 years of this average salary before tax.
Respiratory Therapists salary in other Pennsylvania cities
Pittsburgh ranks 10th of 14 Pennsylvania metro areas for this job; Reading pays the most ($87,990).
- Reading$87,990
- Philadelphia$87,200
- Allentown$81,440
- Chambersburg$80,220
- York$79,450
- Lancaster$78,520
- Williamsport$78,310
- Harrisburg$76,700
- Scranton$74,410
- Pittsburgh$72,820
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 Pittsburgh: questions
How much do respiratory therapists make an hour in Pittsburgh?
$35.01 an hour on average, and $36.28 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level respiratory therapists salary in Pittsburgh?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $62,030 a year and the 25th percentile is $64,270, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the respiratory therapists take-home pay in Pittsburgh?
About $57,823 a year ($4,819 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $72,820. Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
Do respiratory therapists earn more in Pittsburgh than elsewhere?
The average here is 17% less 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 Pittsburgh, PA (38300). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 0.8%.
- 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). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.22, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.