Respiratory Therapists pay range in State College
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $61,400 a year or less, while the top 10% make $79,090 or more. The middle half of respiratory therapists in State College earn between $63,070 and $77,810.
- $61K10th
- $63K25th
- $74KMedian
- $78K75th
- $79K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $70,700 | $5,892 | $33.99 |
| Median | $73,690 | $6,141 | $35.43 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $63,070 | $5,256 | $30.32 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $77,810 | $6,484 | $37.41 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Respiratory Therapists pay in State College vs. Pennsylvania and the U.S.
Respiratory therapists in State College earn 10% less than the Pennsylvania average ($78,180) and 19% less than the U.S. average ($87,300). At the median the gap is -10% against the U.S. median of $82,280.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State College | $70,700 | $73,690 | $61,400 | $79,090 | 60 |
| 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 State College
On the average salary of $70,700, a single filer in State College takes home about $56,397 a year, or $4,700 a month and $2,169 every two weeks. Taxes take 20% 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 State College a good place for respiratory therapists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the State College area are 3% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 96.8), so the average $70,700 buys what about $73,066 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.5 times the median wage of all jobs in State College ($49,220). A typical home costs $353,680, or 5.0 years of this average salary before tax.
Respiratory Therapists salary in other Pennsylvania cities
State College ranks 11th 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
- State College$70,700
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
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Respiratory Therapists salary in State College: questions
How much do respiratory therapists make an hour in State College?
$33.99 an hour on average, and $35.43 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level respiratory therapists salary in State College?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $61,400 a year and the 25th percentile is $63,070, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the respiratory therapists take-home pay in State College?
About $56,397 a year ($4,700 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $70,700. Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
Do respiratory therapists earn more in State College than elsewhere?
The average here is 19% 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 State College, PA (44300). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.2%.
- 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). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.91, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
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